11/03/2019
Our God lifts us up, and when He revives us from our struggles we find ourselves increased in comfort and greatness. So often we relate suffering to great leaps in faith, but quite often our faith grows equally well when fertilized by trouble, or calamity. So in fact we don’t have to experience pain... but face challenge instead.
“You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.”
Psalms 71:20-21 ESV
God is faithful in both our suffering and our challenges, and we need to be equally attentive to our praise in both instances. Singing, and the use of multiple instruments to accompany us... there is no such thing as being overly gracious I. Our praise.
“I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.”
Psalms 71:22 ESV
I have been messaging with a young African friend from Nakuru Kenya. His 91 year old father is very ill, and nearing death, but in the throes of such a challenging time, Daniel sits on his father’s bed, and reads scripture to him. During our last conversation Daniel told me that he was sharing Psalm 71: 20-24 with his father. Such an amazing scripture to share during a time of great trial and tribulation. This is a father and son engaged in an incredibly deep faith that though they were facing death, included great joy.
“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.”
Psalms 71:23-24 ESV
Going face to face with life’s challenges, as a Christian, casts God’s light on what faith can be to those who know, and trust Him. Life’s difficult moments don’t have to overwhelm us, and can actually propel us like a catapult over the obstacles that stand in our way.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalms 46:1-3 ESV
So how do you face trouble? Do you get mired down in fear, and anxiety, or do you lean on God? Are you like my friend Daniel who shares joy and praise with his father in the face of death, or someone who gives into the darkness of the moment?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being our strength, and propelling us into joy and victory in times of challenge and trouble. Thank you Holy Father for giving us that special bit of yourself that looks beyond the moment, and into what you know lies ahead. You are the encouragement we long for, and the sense of well-being that brings calm into our calamities. Holy, Holy, Holy are you our God who soothes us when we are facing our darkest moments. Praised be your name for the joy we feel in you, even though the world seeks to trip us. Great is your sense of calm and peace that flows into our souls from your Holy Spirit that abides within us... even when our humanity, in its weakness, screams for us to panic. All glory is yours Father, now and forevermore.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."”
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Rich Forbes