We can rejoice in our trials because those who are faithful will be honored and praised by God. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - God says in Psalm 50:23. The father makes the child finish the season only because its necessary for his growth. While in the fire, they found the Son of God there with them. He was the envy of all his friends and business associates. Many develop strongholds and addictions by going through trials. Listen to what he said: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Bible verses about praising God can help guide your prayers in these times. Application Question: What are common responses to suffering? The contrast is that true faith is more precious than gold in that it never perishes. These have come so that your faithof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by firemay be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (emphasis mine).1 Peter 1:7. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. The first 21 verses are a cry to the Lord, laying out the problem that David finds . Look at what Paul says: That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. I'm glad you're here to journey with me! Psalm 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!For the Lord is a great God,and a great King above all gods. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (emphasis mine).Revelation 2:10. Amazingly, David overcame adversity by putting his trust in God, and by "Praising God!" David proclaims, "They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me; They are fallen into the midst thereof themselves" (Psa. But to the extent we are able to entertain the concept - God is eternal; He is "from everlasting to everlasting." This means Christ is ruling in heaven but we are there in spirit with him. How can we better strive to keep it? Is it realistic that both joy and grief can exist together? When this person eventually encounters trouble or persecution, they fall away from God and never return. To be people of praise, we must come to the end of ourselves. In this passage, faith is both compared and contrasted with gold. Maybe that is why God touched Jacobs thigh and caused him to limp after wrestling with God and prevailing. The victory they enjoyed - was victory God granted to them. And the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:89. Trials have the same effect on a believers faith. A strong personality. Through godly behavior, we light the way for others. Whats the secret for a Christian to have joy while suffering through bankruptcy, cancer or even a lost child? I have no doubt that God did this so that we could apply it to any trial we experience, whether sickness, depression or demonic persecutions. Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them. Why should believers have joy in their trials according to 1 Peter 1:3-5? His Word has reached our hearts and had the intended influence. Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities (emphasis mine).Luke 19:1617. We can definitely relate to David's thoughts and feelings as we face our present world. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. He encourages the Lord's people to respect God and offers wisdom leading to a long and blessed life. The word proved is used of testing metals through fire. I can definitely use help choosing words to praise and honor God. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. (Psa. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love (emphasis mine). Is he God your Provider? When I am weak, you are my strength. See, this person was in the church, heard the Word of God, and he responded with joy. 2. But, during this depression God comforted me through his Word. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (emphasis mine).Matthew 5:1112. Paul - in the first eleven chapters - takes up the subjects of justification, sanctification, glorification and NOW, it's like he stops out of breath TO ADORE THE GLORY OF GOD, and to speak of His sovereignty. How can we live this type of Christian life in the various multicolored trials we go through? The thrust of David's words are - God is worthy of our praise, our worship and obedience and He is worthy of praise due to His greatness; His power, glory, victory and majesty. He said, Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven. There is a reward given for suffering. Against the wrath.--Or perhaps, upon the wrath. I stand at the door and knock. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:69. My everything. Get the Surrounded Devotional 14 days of exploring how God is with you in the storm and learning how to fight your battles by praising God. Psalm 138-141King James Version. Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, I will thank you forever, because you have done it. It was never true faith. Colossians 2:12 says -- "having been buried with him in baptism, and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." At times there is an unhealthy form of the gospel taught in the church. Application Question: What are some ways we can focus on our faith in trials in order to keep our joy? Learn to PRAISE GOD in the midst of trouble from King David himself. In the same way, believers must have the right focus in order to have joy in their multicolored trials. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love (emphasis mine), just as I have obeyed my Fathers commands and remain in his love (John 15:10). That place is His Word. Praising God in the hard times doesn't minimize or deny heaviness of heart. When David was in trouble, suffering and running from enemies he had these thoughts of God. We must develop an eternal perspective. True faith will last in the face of trials. James said the same thing: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life (emphasis mine) that God has promised to those who love him (Jas 1:12). He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me. (Psalms 105:3, NIV). Thats something we can rejoice in, even when our natural inheritance is taken away. And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fadekept in heaven for you (1 Pet 1:4). Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? This life is not just about our future career, marriage, or retirement. One of the wonderful promises about this text is that God uses trouble in order to comfort us so we can comfort those who go through any trouble (v. 4). He is worthy of praise due to His greatness; His power, glory, victory and majesty. This is common in the world. The writer of Hebrews says, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (emphasis mine) (Heb 11:6). That means He doesn't have to clear anything with anybody! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God," (Rev. Everything that is his, is ours; we are co-heirs. Some people are kept from their inheritance because of their own death. Every time I worship God I need to be mindful of His greatness. How he served on earth affected his future servicethe service he would do for the rest of his life. 3 who forgives all your sins. One of the ways we can tell is by our response to trials. In order that he would not become proud, God humbled him through a demonic affliction. 10:1). This would suggest, if we will keep clear in our hearts the real glory of God, that will contribute to righteousness; it will help keep us from sin. All this will enable you, in a special way, to be able to minister to others. We should rejoice in all the benefits of our coming salvation. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Praise the. my - Mine. 7. . my whole being longs for you, 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. So you find statements - all through the Old Testament - like this in 2 Sam. Many people are only thinking about tomorrow or focusing on the next immediate milestone: graduation, marriage or retirement, but that view is too shortsighted. One of the reasons we can rejoice in trials is because it proves the genuiness of our faith. Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary;praise him in his mighty heavens!Praise him for his mighty deeds;praise him according to his excellent greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound;praise him with lute and harp!Praise him with tambourine and dance;praise him with strings and pipe!Praise him with sounding cymbals;praise him with loud clashing cymbals!Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!Praise the Lord! 1:23). We praise God in prayer. All rights reserved. What is the secret to joy in trials? To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted . I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This relationship will carry you and give you joy. It is this loving relationship with Christ that allows us to endure and have joy in trial or tribulation. Who would honor a person who died in an electric chair? BOOK TWO Psalms 42-72 -Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses - To the Chief Musician. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (emphasis mine).1 Peter 1:6. God rewards those who faithfully persevere. Listen to a few other texts: Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Many of them are in the middle of adversity and calamity. Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. My defender, my path, my victory. With this new birth, we receive an inheritance in heaven (v. 4). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. God is the one who gives you faith (Ephesians 2:89), and he is the one who keeps it. I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Application Question: How do we cultivate our first love again so we can have joy in trials? Conclusion: David brought his reign to a close talking to God, and talking to His people about God. Lean on the words of others until you find your own. Are you facing battles in your life? Are you in a place that feels dry and perhaps a bit hopeless? My morning, my afternoon, my night. David in writing the Psalms expresses many praises to the Lord. He never changes. This is not their fault, and it is not necessarily a lack of spirituality. It melted at a lower temperature. (Romans 15:11, NIV). It is the way of faithit is the genuine faith that is tested through the trial. Begin with a Bible verse of praise, a pre-written prayer, or even a worship song. Those who are faithfulmeaning that they didnt quit, meaning that they continued to trust in God and honor him in the midst of trialswill be richly rewarded. Hi, I'm Kathryn! These cookies do not store any personal information. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. 1 2 3 4 5 Next Trusting God In A Time Of Trouble Job 13:15 15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: Sometimes a preacher will find one of those sermons that is just absolutely inspirational. In fact, God is preserving this inheritance, keeping it from decay or being stolen, even right now. Lets look at a couple of reasons why trials would be necessary. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. (1) We must confess our sins and turn away from them. It may be personal sin, as with David. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer (emphasis mine).2 Corinthians 1:46. Gold is one of the most precious metals because it is one of the most imperishable. I dont come from a completely reformed background. What does Peter mean? With this new birth, we receive an inheritance in heaven (v. 4). Find, read and study the passages in the Bible where men and women prayed. 1:7). Jesus said in his high priestly prayer in John 17:22 that the glory he had in heaven has been shared with us. But the inheritance to which Peter refers can never perish, spoil, or fade and God is protecting it for us. Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful. in a dry and parched land Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! In many of our churches, we call people to faith saying that if you come to Christ, you will be able to hit homeruns, you will be able to make straight As, you will never be sick, and you will be wealthy. Summary: This is a sermon that teaches us how to trust God in the times of trouble. God - Who is God to you at this very moment? Psalm 73:26. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. It awakens your spiritual self to view a heavenly perspective. If we only are thinking about tomorrow, next year, or thirty years from now, we will not have a sustainable joy. David praises the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines, and he invites others to join him in singing joyfully to the Lord. where there is no water. We rejoice in our undefiled inheritance. Judas denied Christ and never returned. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fadekept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by Gods power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (emphasis mine).1 Peter 1:35. He is there, and his presence enables us to get through it, and even experience the sweetest joy. I dont necessarily have to experience exactly what they have gone through to comfort them. We can rejoice in trials because they have purpose. So amid cheers and to the sound of ram's horns, David and all the people of Israel carried the ark of the LORD. This is where he prepares his counselors. We do that by rejoicing in the benefits of our salvation. You are my ever-present help in times of trouble. 20:4 .. "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Paul was a very zealous man. Listen to what Christ said to the church of Ephesus in Revelations 2:2-4: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. These were his thoughts, not only at the end of his life but throughout his life. My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,your praises all day long. We praise God in song. of Thats why the author uses a general term for hardship. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meput it into practice. We are alive to his Word, alive to worship, alive to one another, where before we were dead in trespasses and sin (Eph 2:15). (2) We must regain our focus on Christ and the inheritance that he is bringing at his revelation. Does it draw you closer to God, closer to his Word and closer to the people of God? We are edifying one another, and reminding ourselves of the promises of the gospel. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Before discipline came, David was living in sin, but after the affliction, he obeyed Gods words. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. As a father, he only allows us to go through things that are necessary for us. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours." Everything we know about God should cause us to regard and adore His greatness. For this is what the high and exalted One says He who lives forever, whose name is holy:I live in a high and holy place,But also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,To revive the spirit of the lowlyAnd to revive the heart of the contrite.. In fact, James talks about a faith without works, as demonic faith. He says even the demons believe and shudder (Jas 2:19). Application Question: What ways have you experienced the loss of joy in your salvation? It is false faith. When Paul describes what sin is, he says - when we sin, we fall short of the glory of God; one translation says, we fail to glorify God --- Rom. He extols the virtue of fearing the Lord and remembering His goodness. King David prayed, "Wealth and honor come from you We give you thanks, and praise your glorious name Everything comes from you" (1 Chronicles 29:12-14, NIV). In the same way, many trials we go through could possibly be a form of Gods grace to keep us from sin. God - GOD. Psalm 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. As we look at Scripture, we see that Peter is not the only writer who teaches this apparent paradox. Scripture, or the Bible, is God's Word. There is a certain pain about life here on the earth and all the unpleasant things we encounter. Here I am! Glory. In the modern religious world there are flattering words expressed to the Father and Son, and much talk of praising God but little obedience to give that sentiment meaning. I am not really praising God until I decide to follow all His instructions. Praise in the Midst of Problems. Therefore, we can have joy. Israel's King David knew how to give thanks in the midst of trouble, writing, "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds" ( Psalm 9:1 ). Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me, Psalm 64:7,8 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. Copyright 2021 The Busy Woman's Bible Study, Copyright 2016 The Busy Woman's Bible Study. Whatever Pauls trial, it was given to him because of the surpassing great revelations he had received from God. Focus on Gods sovereignty and purpose in trials. They are not haphazard; they are not by accidentand God has not forgotten about us. I will reward those who have faith in the midst of their trials. Many of us have lost our joy because we have sinned by losing the right focus. In this epistle, Peter is writing to Christians that are spread throughout Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. This is Paul's outburst of praise, informed by revelation - and inspired by the sovereignty of God. If you have lost your first love, you cannot have joy in the midst of trials or in the midst of your service for Christ. DAVID ASCRIBES TO THE FATHER THE FOLLOWING: Greatness. True faith is ultimately indestructible because God keeps it by his power. What must we do if we have lost it? How can this bring joy? He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God (emphasis mine).Daniel 3:2425 (KJV). Why did you lose it? I am talking to God, and he is listening. If it only lasted for a couple of years, it would be less expensive. It is temporary, not just because of the fact that it will end in time, but it is a little while in comparison to the salvation and inheritance you will experience for eternity. In fact, they have lost their first love like the Ephesians. All rights reserved. And - God "did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline," (2 Tim. We can also gain great wisdom from King David in using praise in the midst of our trouble. Focus on your faith; trials prove the genuineness of our faith. (Isaiah 40:5, NIV). For many, when they go through a church split or they were harmed by a church leader, they fall away from the faith and never return. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Let me explain through the illustration of Paul and his thorn in the flesh. Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated in heavenly places with Christ. This is something we can rejoice in even in the midst of trials. Sovereignty. Preventer of Mistakes - Watch and pray that you enter not in to temptation. Power. On that day David decreed for the first time that thanks be given to the Lord by Asaph and his relatives: "Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Listen, many of us have lost our joy. Try meditating on each word in Psalm 63:1 slowly. Was it a voice of complaint? The power of praise in times of trouble is that His joy bubbles up inside of you and covers you in peace. Genuine gold will last at high temperatures. We see the man Job, memorialized in Scripture for his faithfulness in going through trials. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This is not true faith. They had been scattered because of the persecution coming from Rome. How many of us are missing joy in our trials? He wrote to the Philippians about "the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have" ( Philippians 1:30) a conflict, which he says, "really served to advance the gospel" ( Philippians 1:12 ). I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. We must have an eternal view. You will find that it is in the fire that your intimacy with Christ becomes the greatest. They have authority, but not sovereignty! Its only the broken whom he can pour his precious grace through to minister to others. Look at the life of any truly godly man or woman, and you will see that godliness has always been marked by trials. Our Father knows whats best as well. David's painful guilt runs through this psalm. Fundamentally we are expressing our praise to God; we are thinking about God, and the things of God; we are honoring the Savior. He professes his confidence in God Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (7) This verse echoes Psalm 23:4; Psalm 30:3; Psalm 71:20. Knowing that God is for you will strengthen your trust in Him during times of hardship and the unknown. Why had David lost joy in his salvation? The expression in the Old Testament that indicates God's blessing on a person is to say that God's face would shine on them. Application Question: What things keep you from developing this eternal view point in the midst of your trials? Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. This is a phenomenal concept. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? In the previous verses (1-6), Paul had talked about how he was taken to heaven and saw visions and things he could not speak about. GOD! Jesus is a descendant of David. ). Praise in the Midst of Trouble. The civil servant, for example, does not enjoy independence. We have probably seen this in some of the people God has chosen to use in the greatest ways. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? This is how I approach it if you need some guidance to start. Simon Peter was privileged to see Jesus transfigured and he later wrote about it with these words: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty," (2 Pet. It is very possible for Christians to lose the joy of their salvation. This is really happening. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me . Its one of the ways we can tell if its genuine. It touches your heart to remember that God has saved you in the past with his son Jesus. It brings joy because it is in the midst of the trial that we see Christ and know him more. The drama intensifies. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. But eventually - analysis and argument must give way to adoration. After feeling impressed to go into ministry, I struggled with depression for over a year. What I say next is absolute. We through the gospel have access to God's Power -- when faith prompts us to obey Christ in baptism, THE POWER OF GOD LIFTS US FROM SIN. Listen to what David said about his experience with discipline: Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word (Ps 119:67). In this passage, the writer says to endure hardship as disciplineGod is treating you as sons. In the situation of the Corinthians, this included weakness, sickness, and even death. For eleven chapters Paul has been giving his comprehensive account of the gospel. Why is that? But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Then the final ascription: TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOR EVER! For those who are trained by going through hardship, it produces a harvest of righteousness. We are trained by persevering through the trial and seeking the Lord and his Word in the midst of it. When this happens, the secret is to refocus on your relationship with him. This is a wonder. We are not sure what this thorn in the flesh was. Listen to what Hebrews says: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. What is the next reason we can rejoice in trials? Thoughts of You from mother & God Devotionals. Concepts and Connections. David praises God for the truth of his word 4. He simply says they did not really belong to us. They werent really saved. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Let praise bring you up above what you see in the world right now. Trials to our faith, are like fire to a precious metalthe fire tests the genuineness of it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. WE PRAISE GOD IN PRAYER when we follow Jesus instruction, and express our adoration for Him -- "Hallowed be Thy Name," (Matt. 1:1-4). I probably read through the Bible fifteen times in close to a year and a half. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! When shall I come and appear before God? And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. _________________________________________________. Seek Truth in Scripture. How can we encourage others with this when they are suffering? He raises a rhetorical question, Who has known the mind of the Lord? Listen to what he says in the previous verses. Chapter 15 of 2 Samuel reports of the national rebellion of King David headed by his own son. Christianity can become like arduous labor; it can become legalism, and it can steal our joy, if we have the wrong focus. What is this about? This is a wonderful truth for us, and it is one in which we must focus on in the multicolored trials we may go through. Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me. Jesus said, For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matt 18:20). He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Though this was originally given in the context of church discipline, we can be sure that this is true whenever Gods people gather together for religious purposes.1 Christ is present wherever his people gather for the purpose of worshiping, honoring, and serving the Lord.
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