Praise God, even in Adversity

“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities,” Psalm 31:7, KJV.

There are times in life when tears fall, brokenness comes, and lack of understanding abounds, but praise God. There may be issues of infidelity, betrayal, and deceitfulness swarming, but praise God. It doesn’t matter what you may be going through, still praise God.

Not too long ago, I awoke one morning not knowing what to pray. My spirit felt so burdened down, so heavy that all I could say to the Lord in that moment was that I don’t know what to pray. God led me to Psalm 150. That particular Psalm is all about praising Him. I heard in my spirit God saying, “When you don’t know what to pray, praise Me.” It helped me to understand that the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf as stated in Romans 8: 26-27: “So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.”

Being mindful that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. His mission has not changed; the intensity to do so, I believe, becomes even stronger when a person gets saved. The devil’s fate is sealed; he wants nothing but to deceive people into thinking God’s word isn’t true. We must submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7). So when difficult times arise, continue to thank God for who He is.

Jesus instructed that the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) states “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” We want peace, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isaiah 26:3, KJV. The soul, our inner being, the part that will go on to be with Christ forever stems from our decision to choose life and not death; to surrender all to the Lord. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” Romans 13:1, KJV.

Our circumstances ought not to define us. There will be trials and tribulations in this life, but God is always there for us, ready to meet our needs. Praise Him in all things, for He is worthy to be praised.

Additional Reference: Psalm 96:4

The Lord Hears My Prayers

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears,” Psalm 34:4, KJV.

As I ponder on a recent sermon given at a church I’m currently attending, I thank God for hearing my prayers. I thank God for confirmation and just being the One true and Holy God that He is. The sermon was based on Psalm 34. This morning, I focus particularly on Psalm 34:4.

God is a ready listener … to those who seek Him. To seek the Lord means pursuing Him. When we go after God, He hears our prayers. So this automatically tells us that those who don’t pursue the Lord shouldn’t expect Him to answer their prayers. Pursuit is not some lackadaisical approach. When pursuing a job or a desired mate, an honest effort is made. In the instance of a job, many go to school, enroll in a particular program, acquire internships, and become apprentices to perfect their skills. If it is something you really want you go after it.

The same is true with relationships. Many who desire meaningful companionship with the opposite sex that leads to marriage, courtship ensues. There are often moments of extended conversations and personal time alone. Why should things be any less important when it comes to God? Our pursuit should be that and more.

God hears us when we seek Him. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV. Keywords: If, humble, pray, seek, and turn from wicked ways. We ought not think that we can come to God in any way. There is a process. There is a need to ask for forgiveness. God’s promises are conditional. His love is like that of a marriage. Consider the many references made in the Bible God reveals relating to marriage. It is a sacred vow that we should strive to keep—be in active pursuit.

“…and delivered me from all my fears.” When our trust is in the Lord and we pray to Him (seeking Him) for strength and courage, He is faithful to provide.

No More than You can Bear

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it,” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

God has promised to not allow us to go through more than we can bear. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30. God’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. Oftentimes we take on things that we don’t have to. Sometimes we may try to handle situations that are only alleviated through Jesus Christ. We are more than conquerors, but not in our own strength—only in Jesus (Romans 8:37). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Take a look at the Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

At any time you feel that you’re struggling with anything or facing a faith-testing situation, refer to this scripture. As I meditated on this verse some time ago, I was able to grasp, understand, and truly see times where God made a way of escape for me. The key here is taking advantage of that emergency exit.