And the Words Leaped Off the Page and Into the Heart

And every time it happens there is fresh surprise and delight.

Being in the heat of a grievous battle at the moment, spiritual in nature, not of our own making and not without future consequences, there is a continuous heaviness. And with the heaviness comes a perplexity that refuses to allow the mind to rest. Hence day trudgings and long night seasons with the weariness that walks along side like an unshakable shadow.

But its the Lord's Day. Again. One must put on one's "Sunday Face" and go out the door.

First, as is the habit of a lifetime, devotions.

Once again dear dead Archbishop Cranmer met me with his 'freshly' written collect. So simple in wording, so dynamic in scope.

Almighty and everlasting God,

which dost govern all things in heaven and earth;

mercifully hear the supplications of thy people,

and grant us thy peace all the days of our life.

Govern: to rule by right of authority as a sovereign does; to exercise a directing or restraining influence over; guide; hold in check.

All: the whole of with reference to quantity, extent, duration, amount or degree; the greatest possible; every.

It always comes down to the same Job-ean point: Is God who He says He is? Are His promises trustworthy? All the days? This Day?

It can once again be summed up with that precious Yea and Amen from J.B. Phillips:

He is our God and only the God who is our inescapable contemporary. Immanuel, God with us.

Always. Only. Enough.

Mercy covers.