Tag: Trials

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Isaiah 26, Come MY people enter your chambers!

Isa 26:1-2, IN THAT DAY THIS SONG WILL BE SUNG IN THE LAND OF JUDAH: “WE HAVE A STRONG CITY; GOD WILL APPOINT SALVATION FOR WALLS AND BULWARKS. OPEN THE GATES, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

This is the coming of the new city of Jerusalem; the city not made by man, but by GOD HIMSELF!

Rev 21:2, THEN I, JOHN, SAW THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

This is the same city that Abraham waited for.

Heb 11:10, FOR HE WAITED FOR THE CITY WHICH HAS FOUNDATIONS, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD. 

Isa 26:3-4, YOU WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON YOU, BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN YOU. TRUST IN THE LORD FOREVER, FOR IN YAH, THE LORD, IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH.

Israel had times of peace, but they were watchful for the enemy. Now, with the LORD in their mist, PERFECT PEACE WILL REIGN!

Isa 26:19, Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. 

It’s interesting the Isaiah now has a vision prior to the great tribulation; the rapture of the church is seen here! 1Thes 4:13-16

1Th 4:16, For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST. 

Isa 26:20, Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, AS IT WERE, FOR A LITTLE MOMENT, UNTIL THE INDIGNATION IS PAST. 

The bride will be hidden from the tribulation which will come to the world!

Rev 3:10, BECAUSE YOU HAVE KEPT MY COMMAND TO PERSEVERE, I ALSO WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL WHICH SHALL COME UPON THE WHOLE WORLD, TO TEST THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH. 

Isa 26:21, FOR BEHOLD, THE LORD COMES OUT OF HIS PLACE TO PUNISH THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH FOR THEIR INIQUITY; THE EARTH WILL ALSO DISCLOSE HER BLOOD, AND WILL NO MORE COVER HER SLAIN. 

Re-read Isaiah 24 & 25, the great tribulation! AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD; FOR WE DON’T WANT ANY PART OF THE TRIAL WHICH IS TO COME!

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Psalm 119:81-96, HE is in control!

KATH  כ  81-88

Psa 119:81-82, MY SOUL FAINTS FOR YOUR SALVATION, But I hope in Your word. My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “WHEN WILL YOU COMFORT ME?”

Here the Psalmist is desperate, without any strength; YET he wants to be delivered by GOD, not man! BEING DELIVERED BY THE STRENGTH OF MAN ACTUALLY ROBS THE PERSON FROM A BLESSING OF GOD!

2Cor 4:8-9, We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

Psa 119:86-87, All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; HELP ME! They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.

Still waiting for help but living in faith, in accordance to HIS way! Never lose heart for the LORD’s hand is on the thermostat; shaping and molding the person he wants to see in you! It’s just the potter doing HIS work!

Isa 64:8, But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. 

LAMED ל 89-96

Psa 119:89, Forever, O LORD, YOUR WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN.

HE who knows the end from the beginning! What HE has said, in HIS word will come to pass without fail! IT IS SETTLED!

Act 15:18, “KNOWN TO GOD FROM ETERNITY ARE ALL HIS WORKS. 

Isa 46:10, DECLARING THE END FROM THE BEGINNING, And from ancient times THINGS THAT ARE NOT YET DONE, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ 

Psa 119:94-95, I AM YOURS, SAVE ME; FOR I HAVE SOUGHT YOUR PRECEPTS. The wicked wait for me to destroy me, BUT I WILL CONSIDER YOUR TESTIMONIES.

Are you HIS? Do you know the LORD? In trials never lose heart for HE is with you wherever you go!

Psa 27:13-14, I WOULD HAVE LOST HEART, UNLESS I HAD BELIEVED That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. WAIT ON THE LORD; BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART; WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD! 

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Psalm 107, What is your story!

Psa 107:4-5, THEY WANDERED IN THE WILDERNESS IN A DESOLATE WAY; They found no city to dwell in. HUNGRY AND THIRSTY, THEIR SOUL FAINTED IN THEM.

THE WANDERER was completely lost in sin and no where to go! Hungry and thirsty and nowhere to turn!

Psa 107:6-7, THEN THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. AND HE LED THEM FORTH BY THE RIGHT WAY, THAT THEY MIGHT GO TO A CITY FOR A DWELLING PLACE.

Psa 107:10-11, Those who SAT IN DARKNESS and in the shadow of death, BOUND IN AFFLICTION and IRONS— Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High,

THE PRISONER, bound in the chains of sin and desperation, dwelling in darkness

Psa 107:13-14, THEN THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, AND BROKE THEIR CHAINS IN PIECES.

HE can break the strongest, gates, bars and chains and bring you out in HIS light!

Psa 107:17-18, Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, WERE AFFLICTED. THEIR SOUL ABHORRED ALL MANNER OF FOOD, AND THEY DREW NEAR TO THE GATES OF DEATH.

THE SICK rejected the milk and meat of the word of GOD which gives strength to the weary! They were dying without it, near death!

Psa 107:19-20, THEN THEY CRIED OUT TO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, And He saved them out of their distresses. HE SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED THEM, AND DELIVERED THEM FROM THEIR DESTRUCTIONS.

HIS word has the power to heal!

Psa 107:25-27, For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. … Their soul melts because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.

TRIALS! In the middle of a severe trial which seems to have no end!

Psa 107:28-29, THEN THEY CRY OUT TO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, AND HE BRINGS THEM OUT OF THEIR DISTRESSES. HE CALMS THE STORM, SO THAT ITS WAVES ARE STILL.

WHAT IS YOUR STORY? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU CALLED OUT TO HIM? WITHOUT HIM, WE ARE LOST, IN CHAINS, SICK, AND IN TROUBLE; BUT, HE HAS THE POWER TO SAVE!

Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, 31, OH, THAT MEN WOULD GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN! 

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Psalm 102, Trails!

Psa 102:1-2, Hear my prayer, O LORD, And let my cry come to You. DO NOT HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME IN THE DAY OF MY TROUBLE; INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME; IN THE DAY THAT I CALL, ANSWER ME SPEEDILY.

A desperate plea for GOD’s attention, “LORD attend to my prayer”! The affliction is bad enough, but don’t add to it by hiding from me! THE HARDEST PART OF A TRIAL IS WAITING ON HIS RESPONSE! IT MAY SEEM THAT HE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING, BUT HE IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES!

Isa 8:17, AND I WILL WAIT ON THE LORD, Who hides HIS face from the house of Jacob; AND I WILL HOPE IN HIM. 

Psa 102:9-10, For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping, Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; For You have lifted me up and cast me away.

The Psalmist mourning was made worse because he senses that this trial came from the LORD! The LORD doesn’t sleep on the job, HE is working and teaching by any means!

Rom 5:3-4, …but we also glory in tribulations, KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; AND PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE.

Psa 102:11-12, MY DAYS are like a shadow that lengthens, AND I WITHER AWAY like grass.  But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, And the remembrance of Your name to all generations. 

My days, I wither away, BUT YOU!  The Psalmist gets his mind off himself and onto the LORD! Focus on the LORD, not on the trial!

Col 3:2, SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH. 

Psa 102:19-20, FOR HE LOOKED DOWN FROM THE HEIGHT OF HIS SANCTUARY; FROM HEAVEN THE LORD VIEWED THE EARTH, To hear the groaning of the prisoner, TO RELEASE THOSE APPOINTED TO DEATH,

Remember we were prisoners to sin, BUT THE LORD JESUS SET US FREE; NO LONGER CONDEMNED, BUT RESTORED IN HIM!

Rom 6:22-23, But now having BEEN SET FREE FROM SIN, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

TRIALS WILL COME, BUT WE HAVE VICTORY IN CHRIST JESUS! SET YOU MIND ON HIM!

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Psalm 77, Has HE forgotten?

Psa 77:2-3, In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah

The Psalmist cried out to GOD with his voice and stretched out his hand. GRAB MY HAND OH LORD AND LEAD ME! I KNOW YOUR THERE, BUT WHY DON’T YOU HELP?

Psa 77:7-9, Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? HAS HIS PROMISE FAILED FOREVERMORE? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah

Only a child of GOD can ask these questions! In times of trouble, like the psalmist, we question the LORD and HIS faithfulness! Has HE forgotten to be gracious and merciful to us? Has HE left me in the cold; Has HIS promises failed? Where is HE?

Num 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. HAS HE SAID, AND WILL HE NOT DO? OR HAS HE SPOKEN, AND WILL HE NOT MAKE IT GOOD? 

We, as humans, break our promises all the time; we say something and do another. BUT unlike us, the LORD is faithful to HIS word and HIS promises! Remember HE is always working!

Luk 21:33, Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 

Isa 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psa 77:10-11, And I said, “This is my anguish; But I WILL REMEMBER THE YEARS OF THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MOST HIGH.” I WILL REMEMBER THE WORKS OF THE LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 

In his anguish he said these things, but now he remembers all those years that the LORD held his hand and guided him! All those times when there was no way out YET GOD found a way! Remember the doors HE opened for us and what it cost HIM! Truly HE is faithful!

Isa 41:13, For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

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Psalm 74, The tribulations of HIS people!

Psa 74:1-2, …O God, WHY HAVE YOU CAST US OFF FOREVER? WHY DOES YOUR ANGER SMOKE AGAINST THE SHEEP OF YOUR PASTURE? Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed—This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

Because of the sin of HIS people, God allowed suffering to come to Israel! The Psalmist felt abandoned by GOD! REMEMBER, THE LORD DIDN’T LEAVE, BUT IT WAS ISRAEL THAT LEFT HIM! The LORD Chastens those HE loves!

Heb 12:6, FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 

Psa 74:6-7, And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers. They have set fire to Your sanctuary; They have defiled the dwelling place of Your name to the ground.

This is what happened to Solomon’s temple. The Talmud says that they had a two-day feast in the temple, but burnt it on the third day! Recorded in 2Ki 25:9-10!

Isa 64:11-12, Our holy and beautiful temple, Where our fathers praised You, Is burned up with fire; And all our pleasant things are laid waste. Will You restrain Yourself because of these things, O LORD? Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?

The LORD will deal with the wicked in due time, BUT AS A LOVING FATHER HE CORRECTS THOSE HE LOVES THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WICKED!

1Co 11:32, But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, THAT WE MAY NOT BE CONDEMNED WITH THE WORLD. 

Psa 74:12, FOR GOD IS MY KING FROM OF OLD, WORKING SALVATION IN THE MIDST OF THE EARTH. 

THE LORD IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES! HE NEVER GIVES UP ON HIS PEOPLE! WE MAY STUMBLE IN THIS LIFE, BUT WITH HIM WE WILL NEVER FALL!

Psa 37:24, Though they stumble, they will never fall, FOR THE LORD HOLDS THEM BY THE HAND. 

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Psalm 66, Every knee shall bow!

Psa 66:1-2, …MAKE A JOYFUL SHOUT TO GOD, ALL THE EARTH! SING OUT THE HONOR OF HIS NAME; MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS.

The time is coming Where the whole world will one day be united in HIM and sing praises to HIS name! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!

Psa 66:4, ALL THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP YOU AND SING PRAISES TO YOU; THEY SHALL SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME.” Selah

One day everyone shall confess that JESUS is LORD and shall worship HIM!

Php 2:9-11, THEREFORE GOD ALSO HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM AND GIVEN HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, AND OF THOSE ON EARTH, AND OF THOSE UNDER THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

BUT we as Christians do it now; for we know JESUS as LORD and savior!

Mal 1:11, For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE GENTILES; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; FOR MY NAME SHALL BE GREAT AMONG THE NATIONS,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. 

Psa 66:6, He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him. 

HE parted the red sea and Israel walked on dry land (Exodus 14:21).  HE also parted the Jordan (Joshua 3:14-16)! HE IS NOT A PASSIVE OBSERVER, BUT AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE LIFE OF MEN!

Isa 43:2-3, When you pass through the waters, I WILL BE WITH YOU; And through the rivers, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NOR SHALL THE FLAME SCORCH YOU. FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, …

THE LORD KNOWS WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH HE WILL BE THERE TO PROTECT YOU AND GUIDE YOU IF YOU ALLOW HIM! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED FOR HE IS OUR GOD THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!

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Psalm 61, Seeking the LORD!

Psa 61:1-2a, HEAR MY CRY, O GOD; ATTEND TO MY PRAYER. FROM THE END OF THE EARTH I WILL CRY TO YOU, WHEN MY HEART IS OVERWHELMED;

David often cried out to the LORD! Some may believe crying is a sign of weakness, but David was a strong king and warrior! But David knew where his strength came from! THE LORD!

Exo 15:2, The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 

Psa 61:2b, LEAD ME TO THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER THAN I.

When our hearts are overwhelmed and we don’t know what to do or where to go; CRY OUT TO THE LORD FOR HE IS THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION! WE WILL NOT BE MOVED!

Psa 89:26, He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ 

David, being king, knew the highest place to be was at the feet of the LORD; for HIS ways are perfect and just! Trust in the LORD!

Deu 32:3-4, For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Psa 61:3-4, FOR YOU HAVE BEEN A SHELTER FOR ME, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I WILL TRUST IN THE SHELTER OF YOUR WINGS. SELAH 

Like a bird protecting her chicks from danger, David wanted to be as close as possible to the LORD! He was remembering all the times the LORD protected him gave him shelter from his enemies! THE LORD IS ALWAYS WORKING IN OUR LIVES!

Joh 5:17, But JESUS answered them, “MY FATHER HAS BEEN WORKING UNTIL NOW, AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING.” 

Psa 61:8, SO I WILL SING PRAISE TO YOUR NAME FOREVER, THAT I MAY DAILY PERFORM MY VOWS. 

THE LORD IS STRENGTH AND SHELTER TO THOSE THAT SEEK HIM, AND TRUST IN HIM! HE IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED! SEEK HIM DAILY FOR HIS TIME IS NEAR!

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Psalm 54, Strength in times of trouble!

Psalm 54:1-2, … SAVE ME, O GOD, BY YOUR NAME, AND VINDICATE ME BY YOUR STRENGTH. HEAR MY PRAYER, O GOD; GIVE EAR TO THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH. 

David was in hiding from Saul in the woods of Ziph, but men told Saul where he was hiding. 

1Sa 23:19, Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, … 

David was in trouble and his life was in danger; so, he sought the LORD in prayer asking him to save him!

Php 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD; 

Isa 12:2, Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” 

Psa 54:4, BEHOLD, GOD IS MY HELPER; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. 

David had a relationship with the living GOD, and his strength came from the LORD! Even though David ran from Saul, The LORD was always with him!

Isa 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 

Psa 54:7, FOR HE HAS DELIVERED ME OUT OF ALL TROUBLE; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies. 

GOD will not prevent trouble or trials from coming, but will be your strength in them!

Psa 34:19, MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT THE LORD DELIVERS HIM OUT OF THEM ALL. 

David was almost fenced in by Saul, but then a messenger came to Saul!

1Sa 23:27, But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” 

When trials seem to get stronger and stronger with no way out, SEEK THE LORD FOR HE CAN USE ANYTHING OR ANYONE! NEVER RELY ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH BUT SEEKS HIS DAILY! HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!

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Psalm 44, why are YOU so far off?

Psa 44:1, WE HAVE HEARD WITH OUR EARS, O GOD, OUR FATHERS HAVE TOLD US, THE DEEDS YOU DID IN THEIR DAYS, IN DAYS OF OLD

The psalmist remembers his father telling him about the works of GOD in their days! WE, AS FATHERS NEED TO DO THE SAME! TELL YOUR KIDS WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE!

Joe 1:3, TELL YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT IT, LET YOUR CHILDREN TELL THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR CHILDREN ANOTHER GENERATION.

Psa 44:3, 6 For they did not gain possession of the land BY THEIR OWN SWORD, Nor did their own arm save them; BUT IT WAS YOUR RIGHT HAND, YOUR ARM, AND THE LIGHT OF YOUR COUNTENANCE, BECAUSE YOU FAVORED THEM…. FOR I WILL NOT TRUST IN MY BOW, NOR SHALL MY SWORD SAVE ME

Israel did fight for the land, BUT VICTORY CAME BECAUSE OF THE LORD! IT WASN’T THEIR BOWS, THEIR MONEY, THEIR SWORDS, IT WAS THE LORD! NEVER TAKE CREDIT FOR THE WORK OF HIS HAND;

Psa 44:9, BUT YOU HAVE CAST US OFF AND PUT US TO SHAME, AND YOU DO NOT GO OUT WITH OUR ARMIES. 

From verses 9-11, the psalmist changes his focus. He remembered the stories of his father, but now it seems that GOD has drawn away from his people?

Jos 1:9, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” 

It wasn’t GOD that left, but the people who left HIM and stopped following HIS WORD! HE clearly stated what would happen if Israel drew away from HIM! Deu 28:15-68

Deu 28:15, “BUT IT SHALL COME TO PASS, IF YOU DO NOT OBEY THE VOICE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, to observe carefully all His commandments…THAT ALL THESE CURSES WILL COME UPON YOU AND OVERTAKE YOU: 

HE is a loving Father and is prepared to punish HIS children out of LOVE and never in anger!

Heb 12:6-7, FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” If you endure chastening, GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?