“Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.” Isaiah 21:16 For every flourishing political, or athletic, or musical, or theatrical, or corporate, or academic, or religious flower God alone decrees the withering time.

“We desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:11–12 Assurance of hope = faith and patience

“We have God’s promise and oath as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” Hebrews 6:19 To keep our souls from dashing on the rocky coast of God’s judgment.

I think the CROSS Conference is the most strategic conference I get to be a part of. I hope your church is sending a group to the conference. There are savings if you register by September 19. crosscon.com

“Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.” Proverbs 23:31–32 There is a season when, for the sake of the end, one does not begin.

“As when a hungry man dreams that he is eating, and awakes with his hunger not satisfied . . . so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.” Isaiah 29:8 Do not fret over the triumphs of the adversary. Your hope is reality. Their triumph a dream.

“Jesus has become a priest by the power of an indestructible life. . . . He continues forever. . . . He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:16–25 - Indestructible life. - Continues forever. - Always lives.

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.” Proverbs 24:17 “How different is the sublime sympathy in the triumph of the Church, from the malignant joy of private revenge.” —Charles Bridges

“The Lord will be the stability of your times . . . the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:5–6 A place to stand. A God to treasure.

“The Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” Luke 22:69 “We have a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 8:1 Think today on Jesus alive and seated outside the universe in power and majesty over all.

“Seek and read from the book of the Lord.” Isaiah 34:16 Daily. Like a starving man finding food. Like a poor man finding gold. Like a lost man finding the way home.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 This is wisdom. Pray for it. Lord, cause me to know what and when and how to speak.

“Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day.” Proverbs 25:20 Timing matters. Especially in the soul’s winter.

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21–22 Whether the coals bring judgment or remorse lies not in your power.

“Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:7–8 In a brief 100 years from now virtually everyone on this planet will have died. The Bible, the gospel, the cross, the Christ will be as true as ever.

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Whatever your lot, you will be helped. Fly like an eagle. Run unwearied. Walk unfainting.

No other promise has carried me through more hard places. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 Oh, how tragically mistaken are those who count on death as nothingness.

“Christ . . . will appear a second time . . . to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 The fact that we *have been* saved (Eph. 2:8) and *are being* saved (1 Cor. 1:18) means that we are irrevocably united to the One who *will save* us from coming judgment.

“I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed . . . and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God.” Isaiah 43:11–12 There is one God and one Savior. And we are witnesses.