And David Said in His Heart…

 And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul.—1 Samuel 27:1

This first sentence of 1 Samuel Chapter 27 really caught my attention.  I particularly noticed the phrase, And David said in his heart because in noticing that phrase, I also noted what it DID NOT say.  It did not say and “David prayed to the Lord”…or and “David communed with God”…or “David turned his heart upside down before the Lord”. Are you getting my concern?  You can tell by that phrase alone that David is headed for trouble.  Instead of talking to God, David is talking to himself. Jeremiah the prophet, tells us that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked.  David then, in having a “heart to heart” with himself, instead of having a “heart to heart” with God is receiving the wisdom that James tells us is earthly and demonic.  Consequently, David spends the next 16 months or so depressed and in enemy territory.  Not good…

One of the other reasons the phrase at the beginning of Chapter 27 stopped me is because I KNOW I do this.  Instead of bringing my problems to my Father in heaven, I bring them back to my own heart.  I talk to myself and not to God. This practice is not helpful, but hurtful, because I am looking to my flesh for answers instead of to the Spirit of God who dwells in me. I forget that the whole reason I cried out to God in the first place was because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the ability to do anything good was not in me. The fact that I was hopeless, helpless and totally insufficient for life here on earth was a conclusion that I had already drawn. It was God who redeemed my life from destruction.  It was me who excelled at destroying it.

Beloved, communing with our own hearts strengthens our old man and leads us away from God not toward Him. It is a tool that Satan uses to deceive.  When you find yourself doing it, redirect your voice to the One who loves You with an everlasting love. Go to Jesus because He is the Voice of Truth. Go to Jesus because He bids you to come.  

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:6-7

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.—Matthew 11:28-30

Keep Your Heart with All Diligence…

 See 1 Samuel 24 and 25….

What struck me this morning as I read through 1 Samuel 24 and 25 was the disparity in David’s reactions to the evil of Saul vs. his reaction to the evil of Nabal.  David had done only good continually to both men, and instead of being grateful, they had returned to David evil for his good.  Truly, both Saul and Nabal hated David without a cause. Perhaps this was because in David, they saw the God they had abandoned and wanted to besmirch and obliterate his godly witness from before their eyes. 

Now, in anyone’s book, the evil of Saul toward David was worse than the evil of Nabal, and yet David reacts to Saul’s evil in a godly fashion and to Nabal’s in an ungodly fashion.  David, whose life had been hunted relentlessly by Saul and his army, refused to avenge himself by taking Saul’s life when it was within his power to do so.  

In contrast, David’s reaction to Nabal’s pride and selfishness was to muster an army against him and kill all the males of his household. AND….unless Abigail, Nabal’s wife, had intervened with her wise, godly words, he would have.

As humans, we can forgive, but most of us don’t forget.  This is a good thing because it teaches us to love others with discernment and keeps us from trusting people who have proven themselves not worthy of our trust.  It can, however, also cause us problems.  Keep your heart with all diligence, Proverbs 4 tells us, because out of it springs the issues of life.  

David reacted to Saul in the spirit of humility but to Nabal in his pride and flesh. Why?  I submit to you that it was because David had brought the evil of Saul to God.  The    evil of Nabal, however, caught him off guard.  Still reeling,  perhaps from his  mistreatment at the hands of Saul, David reacts in his flesh.  He does not bring his heart to God before he purposes to destroy not only Nabal but all the men of his household. David also probably felt justified in his anger because much of it may have been on behalf of his men. 

Beloved, the Bible tells us to commit all our works to the Lord and our thoughts will be established.  Like David, our heart remembers hurts from the past. Similar hurts occurring in the present can trigger the same kinds of intense feeling even when the offense of the present does not warrant the intensity of emotion you are feeling.  And that misplaced emotion, my friend, is my signal and yours to bring our hearts to God and allow Him to search them and show us our sin.  Then and only then can we deal rightly with offenses. in a God honoring fashion.  

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22 "Who committed no sin,

Nor was deceit found in His mouth";

23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—1 Peter 2:21-24

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:14-21

The Preparations of the Heart…

The preparations of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.—Proverbs 16:1

The Lord rules and overrules in the kingdom of men. This is such a gift to my heart.  Even this morning as I contemplated what to write, I was overwhelmed.  My mind sees so many trains I can take…all of them going a mile a minute and to 100 different places at once.  I have learned to be grateful for this because in it I see my mind without God…darkened, lost and rudderless.  Truly there remains for me no other choice but to cry out to Him in grateful surrender and allow His Spirit to direct my heart and my steps.  I am NOT sufficient for life WITHOUT Him. In my self-sufficiency I am in distress..every hand of misery comes against me.  My sufficiency is from God WHO IS ABLE to make all grace abound toward me, so that I, having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work. 

So what does this “preparation” of my heart look like for me?  It looks like, as I said above, a grateful surrender.  Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 2:13 paints the picture well.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs3:5-6

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.—Philippians 2:13

Beloved…God hears the desire of the humble. He will prepare your heart and cause your ear to hear. 

Jesus speaking…

4 "The Lord GOD has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.—Isaiah 50:4-5

He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;

When He hears it, He will answer you.

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

"This is the way, walk in it,"

Whenever you turn to the right hand

Or whenever you turn to the left.—Isaiah 30:19a; 21

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name;

You are Mine.

2 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.

3 For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;—Isaiah 43:1-3

Harmful Thoughts…

 36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.—

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”—Luke 24:36-49

This passage really hit home this morning.  Why am I cast down?  Why is my soul troubled and my heart fearful?  Jesus stands right here in my midst. 

Sudden trial and trouble shook my world this weekend. My heart became fearful, grieved and yes, doubtful.  Many of my thoughts were not honoring to the God who is and has been forever faithful to me.  The imaginations of my heart ran amuck, and I became undone.  Jesus, as only Jesus can, brought peace by reminding me in a way that only I would understand, that He was with me. He is not a God afar off…He is very near to me, and His desire for me is only good continually.  

The thoughts that come to my heart that are not of faith are sin. I am not to dwell on them. I am instead to go exactly where Jesus brought His disciples in this passage…to His word. I am to allow His Spirit to open the eyes of my understanding and put truth to the lies that are assailing me. 

Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.—Psalm 119:18

I am to take all of my dishonoring, disbelieving and disquieting thoughts captive to the obedience of my Jesus. 

Psalm 37 is very helpful here because it reminds us not to fret—it only causes harm.  Many of my thoughts yesterday were not helpful…they were harmful.  The truth was not in them.  Instead of drawing me near to the very One who could help, they served to separate me from Him.  They threw me off balance, encouraged my irrational thinking, gave Satan a foothold, and hindered my ability to receive what I know God wanted to give me…comfort.   Beloved…we, as believers, have the Spirit of truth…oh, that in distressing times we would let Him lead us to the altar of our God…to Him who is both our exceeding joy and our comfort in affliction. 

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.—John 14:15-18

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.—Psalm 27:5

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Psalm 27:13-14

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,

For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book,

And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD,

And the poor among men shall rejoice

In the Holy One of Israel.—Isaiah 29:18-19

Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Once Friends Now Enemies Continually...

1 Samuel 18 is the turning point for David and Saul's relationship...once fast friends, here in 18 we read they became enemies continually.  God had surrounded Saul, the Bible tells us, with valiant men whose hearts He had touched.  God had also brought David into Saul's life.  David was a man after God's own heart.  David loved Saul....and the word tells us that Saul had loved David greatly.  What happened to cause the change of heart on Saul's part?  We read this in Chapter 18:

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.† And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.--1 Samuel 18:5-9

David was getting lots of attention...Saul did not like it.  From this point on there were continuous attempts by Saul on David's life.  Further down in Chapter 18 we read:

And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.  But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. --1 Samuel 18:12-16

and by the end of the chapter we read this:

And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.  And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.--1 Samuel 18:28-30

David who at one time was a beloved, faithful and loyal servant to Saul had now become his enemy continually. WHY...because Saul knew that the Lord was with David.   How sad!  Saul's turning away from David says much about where Saul's own relationship was with his Lord.   David's godly obedience must have pierced him to the heart causing Saul to see what could have been in his own life if he had obeyed God.  His sin and failure must have loomed large when David was in view.

The same is true for us when we turn away from the godly people God has placed in our own lives and instead begin to surround ourselves with the world.  Sure, we will have lots of reasons for doing what we do, but whatever the reason,  the overruling reason is that their godliness confronts us with the sin in our life that we do not want to see.  Our downhill slide has begun.  Turning away from our godly friends, however, was not the first step in this slide.  The first steps were those taken in the opposite direction of our Father in Heaven.

This passage should serve as a warning to each of us.  Examine your heart...keep it with all diligence.  If you have drifted off course, draw near once again to your God, confess your sin and do an about face. Ask Him to show you what you are running from...what are you loving more than him?

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.--Hebrews 2:1

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”--Isaiah 30:15

Addendum...a word to those who are the David’s in this passage...

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.—Matthew 5:10-12

Conquering the Giants...

 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”  33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”—1 Samuel 17:32-33; 45-47

The story of David and Goliath is such an encouraging read.  I so want the kind of faith that David displays here!  The kind that “encourages courage and discourages fear”.  

I confess that my heart often fails even before the battle begins. My mind runs ahead of my circumstances and anxious thoughts assail.  I focus on the giant before me and the weapons in his arsenal, instead of setting my mind and heart on the great and awesome God who goes before me and fights for me. 

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,

For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26:3-4

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,—2 Corinthians 10:4-5

As I read through the story I was grateful for the example that David set even as he explained to King Saul why he WAS able to go against the Philistine giant, Goliath. He looks back and remembers the Lord’s faithfulness to him as he protected his father’s sheep from both bears and lions. This uncircumcised Philistine would be like one of them. 

36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." 37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."—1 Samuel 17:36-37

Goliath brought earthly weapons to the battle...a sword, a spear and a javelin.  David brought no physical weapons to the battle except those of a young boy...a slingshot and 5 smooth stones. AND THAT was all he needed because David knew that the battle belonged to God. He was weak, but His God was strong and was on his side.  He would conquer this giant, and beloved...He will conquer the ones we face as well. 

Father...I am not sufficient for anything I face here on earth...no amount of  human might, wealth or physical strength is gonna be enough to get me through this vale of tears.  I am running on empty all of the time.  Fill me with Your fullness and increase my faith! I want the kind of faith that does not turn back in the midst of distressing circumstances but goes boldly forward trusting that You will do exceedingly abundantly in them and through them. Oh, for a greater dependence on You and a decreased dependence on me!   Oh, to face the giants in my life not in my own strength but in the strength that Your precious Spirit continually supplies. 

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.—Zechariah 4:6

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21

2 Chronicles 32:7,8 (KJV)

7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that [is] with him: for [there be] more with us than with him: 8 With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Psalm 20:6-8 (KJV)

6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

Psalm 33:16,20,21 (KJV)

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

Psalm 44:3-7 (KJV)

3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

This is My Comfort in My Affliction...

 This is my comfort in my affliction,

For Your word has given me life.—Psalm 119:50

This verse always brings the word “content” to mind.  I have probably gone upstairs to my room thousands of times over the years with my bible because it IS my comfort.  His word is what I seek first.  It is what answers my every cry, my every emotional nuance and my every longing.  The following might seem strange, but bear with me. The picture of me with my bible cozy in my bed brings a favorite Robert Louis Stevenson poem to mind...The Land of Counterpane.  It is a poem from my childhood that always brings my heart home.  

The Land of Counterpane

by Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was sick and lay a-bed, 

I had two pillows at my head, 

And all my toys beside me lay, 

To keep me happy all the day. 

And sometimes for an hour or so 

I watched my leaden soldiers go, 

With different uniforms and drills, 

Among the bed-clothes, through the hills; 

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets 

All up and down among the sheets; 

Or brought my trees and houses out, 

And planted cities all about. 

I was the giant great and still 

That sits upon the pillow-hill, 

And sees before him, dale and plain, 

The pleasant land of counterpane.

The word of God brings my heart home. The comfort the Lord brings is designed especially for me. It is individual and one which the world cannot replicate. It is a comfort that when given is so styled that it lifts me above my circumstances, quickens my heart and is like the glow of warm fire in a cold, darkened room.  His word gifts me with the comfort of His sustaining grace, brings the peace of contentment and enables me to endure.  

This has become mine,

Because I kept Your precepts.—Psalm 119:56

Be Merciful to Me, O God, for Man Would Swallow Me Up...

 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;

Fighting all day he oppresses me.

2 My enemies would hound me all day,

For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

3 Whenever I am afraid,

I will trust in You.

4 In God (I will praise His word),

In God I have put my trust;

I will not fear.

What can flesh do to me?

5 All day they twist my words;

All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather together,

They hide, they mark my steps,

When they lie in wait for my life.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity?

In anger cast down the peoples, O God!

8 You number my wanderings;

Put my tears into Your bottle;

Are they not in Your book?

9 When I cry out to You,

Then my enemies will turn back;

This I know, because God is for me.

10 In God (I will praise His word),

In the LORD (I will praise His word),

11 In God I have put my trust;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;

I will render praises to You,

13 For You have delivered my soul from death.

Have You not kept my feet from falling,

That I may walk before God

In the light of the living?—Psalm 56

I am just gonna keep my Bible opened to Psalm 56 for the next few days. Such a heartening, fear quenching Psalm that points us continually to the One in whom we CAN trust and confidently rely on to see us through the trials of this life. 

Mercy is defined in my Thompson Chain Reference Bible as a form of love, especially directed toward the needy or unworthy.  That’s me!  Today, then, in my grief and my sorrow, I will not turn aside to those things that are empty and do not profit. Today, I will seek my God of mercy.  Today, I will give Him all that is in my heart and praise His holy name!  Today, I will remember His divine care and I will consider the great things He has done for me. 

—He has redeemed my soul from destruction.

—He has kept my feet from falling.

—He takes account of all my wanderings.  

—He keeps every one of my tears in a bottle. 

My precious, all seeing, all knowing, merciful God knows what I face and the way that I take, AND He cares.  When I call, He will hear me...He will answer because THIS I know...My God is FOR me. 

Today I will walk before Him in the light of His life and light. He who has begun a good work in me WILL carry it on and perfect it until I walk forever in His light in my heavenly home.

For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people.—1 Samuel 12:22

With Desire I Have Desired...Luke 22:15

Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;—Luke 22:15

With DESIRE I have DESIRED...

Jesus had arrived at the central reason why He came to man...to institute a new covenant with men, based on His own sacrifice. Oh how willing You were, Jesus, to give up Your life for mine...to suffer and die for me.  You desired it WITH desire...with single minded devotion to accomplish that for which You were sent.  Give me, Father, that kind of devotion...give me Your right desires. Give me the heart that Paul had...

“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Your heart, Jesus, was steadfast and immovable abounding in Your Father’s work.  Your inner demeanor like that of a warrior, Your face set like flint and ready to endure the cross for the joy set before You.  Truly, Jesus, You loved us to the end.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.—1 Corinthians 15:58 

But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!—Luke 12:50

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.—John 4:34

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.—John 13:1

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,—John 17:1