48. Lord, help us live a good life of faith!

When Rehoboam

became strong and

abandoned the law of the Lord,

Shishak king of Egypt

came up against Jerusalem.

Shishak took the fortified cities of Judah

and came to Jerusalem.

The prophet Shemaiah said to the people,

"Thus says the Lord,

Because you have forsaken me,

I have also forsaken you and

given you into the hand of Shishak."

Then the princes and the king of Israel

humbled themselves and repented.

The Lord turned his anger

and saved them a little.

He did not completely destroy them.

May the lives of the saints

always be steadfast in faith.

The cold of winter

seems to be the hand of the Lord.

Lord God,

help us live a good life of faith.