Deliverance

Your perfect Word stands firm in its promise:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Your chosen people, Your royal priesthood
Are tasked with the troubles that characterize this world;
Our faith does not ensure a painless life.

We will face sorrow, fear, doubt, and injury
As we cling with everything to our beloved Savior,
But the enemy and our flesh wage war upon us.

We declare the sufficiency of Your Word
And announce the unchanging doctrines of the faith,
But are met with contention even by those who claim to be Your own.

With hopeful tears we proclaim Your grace and mercy,

But in turn are mocked and ridiculed

By a loveless and perverse people in a crooked generation.

Herein lies the blessing and curse of the child of God:

That he is blessed by his gentle Savior

Even as he is cursed by those who are worldly.

But may you be praised, O Lord Almighty!

For You have seen fit to make the blessing heavier than the curse,

To make the joy of salvation greater than the insult.

Cast your words at me, O enemy!

Join in the chorus of degradation, O scoffer!

For my Lord and God is not deaf to your scornful assault.

My sorrow before your violence may last for a season,

But His love and mercy last for eternity;

On them shall I fix my eyes.

Heavenly Father, thank you for considering us worthy

Of being hated with Your beloved Son

And for promising us deliverance from every snare.