by David Brenneman
Choose to Praise
"Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering....I rejoice and share my joy with you all." Philippians 2:17.
The journey had not gone as Paul and Silas had anticipated. God had called them to the city of Philippi, and the people responded to the gospel. But then the situation went awry quickly-they were falsely accused, stripped, severely beaten, thrown into prison, and restrained in stocks.
You can imagine that the duo- bloodied and badly bruised could have given in to despair. But instead, they began to sing hymns and worship God. And the Lord responded to their act of faith by sending an earthquake that broke the chains that held Paul and Silas tight. The jailer, certain that they had escaped and fearful that he might lose his life, instead found them sitting composed in their cells. So compelling was their witness that the incredulous
jailer invited them to his house, where he and his family accepted
Christ.
Paul and Silas probably hadn't felt like singing. Their circumstances were awful, and their prospects were grim. But they did something that every believer can do that will make an amazing difference-they chose to praise God. You can too. And when you do, you can be certain that the Lord hears and does miraculous things on your behalf as well.
Jesus, like Paul and Silas, I praise You in all situations. Amen.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7.
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." Romans 12:10-13.
"Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God." Psalms 40:17.
"Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:2-3.
It is a most difficult thing at times to have a heavy heart and yet strive to praise God anyway.
It's a struggle to keep persevering when it's all but apparent that for the time being life isn't making a whole lot of sense.
When words fail and when situations remain in a constant state of concern and fear crouches at the door of the heart it's hard.
But as others wiser than myself have written, a person cannot be fearful and offer sincere praise to God at the same time.
We're nearing the end of the help from the state of Ohio concerning unemployment benefits. While having applied to many places nearly none have responded with so much as an email let alone a phone call. Yet even in this I still hold to the hope that my Savior has a plan and a job for me that will be evident in His time, not mine.
Once I knew a farmer who reaped little what he sowed
While the neighbors' crops grew prosp’rous all around
And every year at harvest time this farmer did no good
Smaller crops kept coming from his ground
He’d smile and say:
Thank you Lord, we’ll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I’ll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year’s crops are gathered in the fall.
The neighbors saw the times get worse and couldn’t understand
How this humble soul could call himself a man
They would gather round the market place
And brag on their success, this farmer’s faith they didn’t understand
He’d smile and say:
Thank you Lord, we’ll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I’ll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year’s crops are gathered in the fall.
Then came the day when all their land was bare and worn-out soil but the farmer’s land kept growin' rich with rain
And everything he sowed he reaped in wealthy fertile years
And thanked the Lord that next year finally came
He’d just smile and say:
Thank you Lord, we’ll do better come next year
I know you have a reason for it all. I’ll try a little harder
And be thankful for the day. And next year’s crops are gathered in the fall.
And thanks the Lord that next year finally came
- Next Year Finally Came
Charley Pride 2014.
We can dwell on ourselves in circles all we want and still end up where we were. Or we can yet still praise Jesus in the midst of the storm. Casting Crowns has a song by that name that is applicable too.
Habakkuk couldn't understand why the Lord was going to use people as evil as those He did to bring about was going to come with Israel but he still praised God anyway.
Daniel's great concern for the Jews was on his heart heavily after all the prophecies were revealed to him but rather than get a full explanation he was told to go his way. He would join those who had gone before and an explanation wouldn't be coming.
We are intentional people whether we want to see it or not. We intentionally choose obedience or we don't to the Word of God. We can have a rational excuse for everything we've allowed in our lives to be there that's unbeknownst to us, hampered our walk with Jesus.
We become less intentional towards our own wants and desires when we listen to the Spirit when He’s pointing out what we need to do and be like. Being thankful is what we're called to be. Thankfulness is to be as much to us as breathing.
In closing, keep in mind the message behind this song too.
Blind man can't see flowers
Growing in the garden
Crippled man can't walk places where
He wants to go
Man that can't talk things he will never say
And a man that can't hear
Words he will never know
So if you can see and if you can walk
If you can hear and if you can talk
Then be grateful be grateful
For what you've got
Cause for some folks these things
Would mean a lot
I once heard a man say all he
Wanted out of life was money
To be the richest man have
Wealth and fame untold
But he could see he could walk he
Could hear and he could talk
And for some folks this would
Mean much more than gold
So if you can see and if you can walk
If you can hear and if you can talk
Then be grateful be grateful
For what you've got
Cause for some folks these things
Would mean a lot
So if you can see and if you can walk
If you can hear and if you can talk
Then be grateful be grateful
For what you've got
Cause for some folks these things
Would mean a lot
Cause for some folks these things
Would mean a lot
Be Grateful
- Charley Pride 1976.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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A corporation not for profit.
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