my joy this week

but thanks be to God, who always leads us in the triumph of Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. for we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

2 corinthians 2.14-15

a lament, with hope

remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. this i recall to my mind, therefore i have hope.
the LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail.
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. the LORD is my portion, says my soul, thereforefore i have hope in him. the LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. it is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. it is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth. let him sit alone and be silent since he has laid it on him. let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope. let him give his cheek to the smiter, let him be filled with reproach. for the Lord will not reject forever, for if he causes grief, then hi will have compassion according to his abundant lovingkindness.

lamentations 3.19-32