From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Peace and Joy in our Lord
Date: Sunday, November 04, 2001 9:06 AM

"We give praise and thanks to you, O God, we praise and give thanks;
 Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your
 Name rehearse Your wonders."  Psalm 75:1  Amplified Bible

"Your Name is near"  and we know that the Name of the Lord our God is as He
is, therefore, to say that His Name is near is to say that He Himself is
near.  Let us see how Scripture speaks of this divine nearness.  Once again
I would suggest that you further search these verses to see how the Spirit
opens them up to you.

"I have set the Lord continually before me;
 Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
(Then see how it affects the one who does this:)
"Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
 My flesh also will dwell securely."  Psalm 16:8-9

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
 And saves those who are crushed in spirit."
 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous;
  BUT the Lord delivers him out of them all."  Psalm 34:18-19

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
 To all who call upon Him in truth."  Psalm 145:18
(Do read this whole Psalm and be blessed!  I have included verses
19 and 20 here.)
 "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
 He will also hear their cry and will save them.
 The Lord keeps all who love Him..."  Psalm 145:18-20a

Scripture speaks of God sheltering His people; His protecting shadow  covers
them:
The Psalmist knows there is safety in the Lord as he says,
"Be gracious to me, O God be gracious to me,
 For my soul takes refuge in Thee;
 And in the shadow of Thy wings I will take refuge,
 Until destruction passes by."  Psalm 57:1

"For Thou hast been my help,
 And in the shadow of Thy wings I sing for joy.
 My soul clings to Thee;
 Thy right hand upholds me."  Psalm 63:7-8

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
 Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1

"For Thou hast been a defense for the helpless,
 A defense for the needy in his distress,
 A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..."  Isaiah 25:4

And the Lord God says,
"And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow
of My hand...You are My people."    Isaiah 51:16

"Do not fear, for I am with you...I will stengthen you, surely I will help
you...
 Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

"I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
 I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you..."   Isaiah 42:6

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
 I have called you by name; you are Mine!"  Isaiah 43:2

How can we not, but join with the Psalmist as he sings out in our opening
verse,
"We give praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks!"  Yes,
we give thanks to You Almighty God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; to You, the
only wise God be glory and honor forever.  Amen!