One of the most difficult lessons for be
One of the most difficult lessons for believers to learn is the commandment to praise God in every circumstance of life.
It's ironic, but the thing we need to do the most is the very thing we feel like doing the least. However, there are few things that will crucify our unworthy flesh and bring about Satan?s defeat in our lives more effectively than singing or praising the Lord when we don?t feel like it.
Our worst enemy in any conflict is not Satan but ourselves. As the beloved comic character Pogo once said, ?We have met the enemy and he is us!? The beginning of victory in any engagement of spiritual warfare is to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto God. Satan's final defeat is assured as we determine to keep God in our focus by standing on His promises, declaring His attributes, and affirming the victory of the Cross especially in song. Singing in trial and praising God in affliction is a thoroughly Biblical practice. The battle cry of the Old Testament is, "For the Lord is good and his mercy endures forever!" It is one of those "foolishness of God is wiser than men" principles that truly routs the enemy and gives God His rightful place. It is the language of faith. It is the affirmation that God will act consistent with His nature. He that delivered in the past will do so again!
How can we sing the songs of Zion in a strange Land? How can we not sing the Lord's praises a strange land?
The reality of God is most clearly seen in God's people not in times of relative ease and prosperity, but rather as they sing their way through trials and afflictions while full of grace and hope. It is proof positive to an unbelieving world that believers can go through the same trials, sorrows and hardships as they do but in those afflictions, tap into wellsprings of God?s power and grace that they know nothing of.
Father, we are thankful that you are the Lord and You change not! In the midst of our ever changing circumstances and fickle emotions we can choose to praise the One Who is eternally worthy of our adoration, the Rock of our salvation, the only true constant in the perpetual roller coaster of our lives. You are the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come, the Almighty! Your purposes stand! Your promises can never fail! You cannot deny Yourself! Thank You that Your Word and its revelation of Your power, perfection and glory is greater than my feelings and circumstances. Thank You that today as I praise You and extol You and the work of Your Son on the Cross that I can live above my circumstances with You in heavenly places where in Your Presence is ?fullness of joy and pleasures at Your right hand.? In Jesus? Name! Amen!!
Created about 1 year ago
