Yesterday we talked about enduring hardship as the loving discipline of our heavenly Father. Well, today my pastor talked about a very similar concept and emphasized our need to count it all joy as we go through the diversity of trials we will face in our lifetime.
As I’ve walked through various times of trial, I must confess that I’ve often forgotten the concept of intentionally praising God in those times - praising Him in response to the trial. But as soon as James put pen to paper (or whatever the 1st century equivalent would have been) the first thing he wrote about was this concept of counting it all joy as we go through trials because “you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” He goes on to tell the early believers to “let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” As I listened to the sermon I was also reminded of the scripture that says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
My pastor also reminded us of Moses who, when he held his hands up (exalting God as he held up the staff of God), the Israelites were successful in battle against the Amalekites but when he dropped his hands, they were overcome. In fact, Moses enlisted Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands, to ensure victory!
Praise, worship, exaltation, joy, thanksgiving…these are the things we cannot forget about in our times of battle. But that is very easy to do! When Moses held up the staff of God, the soldiers could see it. They were reminded, in the midst of battle, that the Lord was on their side! Like those soldiers, we need to be reminded that the Lord is always on our side, fighting on our behalf. Reading His word will help us to remember this. Singing songs of worship will help. Praying will help. Speaking words of praise will help. Whatever your unique way of worshipping God is, that will help you remember Him.
Yes, we may be in battle, but we will overcome. So since we have to face these trails (no way to avoid them) we may as well praise God in the midst of them. As a matter of fact, God directs us to do exactly that. We are not to mourn and lash out at God and be resentful; we are to praise and to draw even closer to our precious Savior who never leaves nor forsakes us. And we can do this because we know we will be victorious! He has already won the battle on our behalf. So with patience, we can journey through the battle and praise Him for the victory. Hold these words close to your heart as you battle…
1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
2 Corinthians 4:8&9- We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
2 Corinthians 2:14 - But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Praise Him right now for your victory!
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