For what son is not disciplined by his father (Heb 12:7)? It means He is the Judge of all the earth, and what He decides is - by definition - RIGHTEOUS, and TRUE and GOOD and FAIR. Ask the three Hebrews who were thrown into the fire in Babylon. Genesis 29:20 says: So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her (emphasis mine). When I cry for help, you will answer. Conclusion: David brought his reign to a close talking to God, and talking to His people about God. In the same way, trials are necessary in order to prove the reality of ones faith. 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:89. They had been scattered because of the persecution coming from Rome. Psalm 119:49,50 ZAIN. Bible verses about praising God can help guide your prayers in these times. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak Praise God that He shows us how prevention is always better and less stressful than a curative measure. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. Eph 1:11; Rom 8:28). it convinces me that I am actually in a real conversation with God himself, my very Creator. 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. How can we encourage others with this when they are suffering? "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. Power belongs to God. are - This is taking place right this minute. But thats not it. Romans 8:17 declares that we are co-heirs with Christ, and therefore, what is the Sons is ours. 1. Trust in the Lord and do good; Many develop strongholds and addictions by going through trials. It is the relationships around us that often enable us to endure hard times. Paul was a very zealous man. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. Trials help us evaluate our faith. One of the things I love about 1 Peter is his focus on the gospel and having joy in our salvation. What other reasons can we rejoice in trials? Peter says we have been given a new birth (v. 3) into a living hope through the resurrected Jesus Christ. The child wants to quit Little League Baseball because hes not very good, but the father knows that the discipline and perseverance he is developing is needed for whatever career God leads him into. Turn your eyes to him and allow him to surround you with his love and strength. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated in heavenly places with Christ. Go back to your first love. How can we live this type of Christian life in the various multicolored trials we go through? Its one of the ways we can tell if its genuine. 8:6, " the Lord gave David victory wherever he went." 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. 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. When I dont have the words to pray, I turn to Bible verses about praising God and use those to pray through Gods Word. I will rejoice over them and honor them. Genuine gold will last at high temperatures. Feel free to take just a sentence or small portion of the verse to focus on each day. All rights reserved. That place is His Word. That secures a freedom from distraction and instills a confidence to proceed in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads. This probably means that David wrote it later in life, as he reflected back on God's faithfulness in his many . He raises a rhetorical question, Who has known the mind of the Lord? But that's not it. His greatness should cause us to believe and confess what is written in Psalms 104:1 - "Praise the Lord, o my soul, O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty." We rejoice in our undefiled inheritance. My comfort, my peace, my strength. Maybe they were believing God for healing, and it didnt happen. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. Focus on our relationship with Christ; trials can bring deep intimacy with Christ. I thirst for you, Like every good parent, sometimes God will bring discipline in the life of a believer to give them motivation to obey. 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. We are so time-oriented - we are so many years old; we have 24 hours a day; we do things at certain times We are creatures of time - so only with great difficulty, are we able to think of eternity. In the New Testament some statements made by Paul help us take in this concept, of God's glory. The power of praise in times of trouble is that His joy bubbles up inside of you and covers you in peace. How can this bring joy? Maybe that is why God touched Jacobs thigh and caused him to limp after wrestling with God and prevailing. Gold is valuable in part because of how long it lasts, but gold will eventually fade and corrupt, unlike true faith. We are trained by persevering through the trial and seeking the Lord and his Word in the midst of it. These were his thoughts, not only at the end of his life but throughout his life. Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? James says blessed, or happy, is the man who perseveres under trial. How can we have joy in the midst of our trials? 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. Why is that? While in the fire, they found the Son of God there with them. I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Praise God that His love prevails over all turmoil, trouble and trauma. WE PRAISE GOD IN SONG. That is the context in the previous verses (1 Pet 3-5). Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meput it into practice. We can focus on our inheritance and security in heaven. Psalm 37:3. But, during this depression God comforted me through his Word. And - God "did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline," (2 Tim. This is not their fault, and it is not necessarily a lack of spirituality. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? How do we bless, or praise God? Salvation and glory and power belong to our God," (Rev. God used the power of trouble and suffering to keep him humble and dependent on God. PRAISE GOD because He is your God! She has joy because she has the right focus as she considers this new baby that will be birthed into the world. God will honor those who have been faithful in the way they have persevered through trials. Yep, praising God in the midst of trouble is a powerful tool. Listen, many of us have lost our joy. Singing isn't just about music; vocal music, in this case, is just the medium. It lasts for a very long time. 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.. If it only lasted for a couple of years, it would be less expensive. In the situation of the Corinthians, this included weakness, sickness, and even death. Why had David lost joy in his salvation? He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God 7. day. When it says the trials have come so that our faith may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed, this seems to be referring to the reality that God will praise you, glorify you, and honor you for your faithfulness in going through trials. I will give them a crown. Peter saw this and focused on this in the midst of his trials. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. It is to recognize the fact that they can exist together. We see evidence of this with David. David brought his reign to a close talking to God, and talking to His people about God. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions can't confirm it. "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." King David teaches us how to praise God throughout the book of Psalms. In his great mercy he has given us new birth (emphasis mine) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet 1:3). Here is a question: does simply going through a trial warrant reward in heaven? His Word has reached our hearts and had the intended influence. The promise of Romans 8:28 is only true if our salvation and inheritance are secure; only then can all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. When you lose your love for Christ, trials dont feel like they last only a few days as it was for Jacob working for Rachel. in a dry and parched land He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me. They will be memorialized even as Job was. Often, trials are necessary to turn us away from sin and toward obedience. This life is not just about our future career, marriage, or retirement. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually Heb 13:15. where there is no water. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you are the temple of God, that same joy you get when praising God in Church can come while praising God anywhere. Is it realistic that both joy and grief can exist together? The question of God hiding his face goes deeper than merely being forgotten. Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. This reservoir allows you to go deeper than you have before. And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me (emphasis mine).Luke 22:19. I stand at the door and knock. Listen to what John said about those who were in the church but left the church of Ephesus to follow the Gnostic cults. This is something we can rejoice in even in the midst of trials. Try meditating on each word in Psalm 63:1 slowly. What we do today will affect our eternity. Look at what Paul said about his trials in 2 Corinthians 6:10: Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (emphasis mine). Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Amalekites would kill children, the elderly, and those who were tiredly straggling behind. I dont come from a completely reformed background. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Paul said something similar in 2 Corinthians 4:1718: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. This is Deut. Observation Question: What is Peter referring to when he says in this you greatly rejoice? when David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. It is this way with any good father. Why is that? It is very possible for Christians to lose the joy of their salvation. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be . Sovereignty. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. 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. How many of us are missing joy in our trials? Thoughts of You from mother & God Devotionals. When I am vulnerable, you are my refuge. When this person eventually encounters trouble or persecution, they fall away from God and never return. The child may cry and complain, and it is not that the father is immune to the childs tears, but it is because he knows whats best. 11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Peter, in speaking to these Christians, says they are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy because of their love and belief in Christ. He never knew them, though they were in the church and served in the church. We are educated, in the first eleven chapters of the Roman letter; there we find analysis and argument and affirmation. 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. 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. 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). David praises the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines, and he invites others to join him in singing joyfully to the Lord. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Seek Truth in Scripture. Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful. What was David's reaction to all of his troubles? This is common in the world. When he - by inspiration - wrote the Psalms; and when he made mention of the coming Messiah he had these thoughts of God. This is not true faith. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me, Psalm 56:1,2,9 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (emphasis mine). As you know in that story, Jacob served Laban for seven extra years to receive Rachel. 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. But this is more than just a speech or something said repeatedly and ritualistically. I probably read through the Bible fifteen times in close to a year and a half. No! A city missionary, stumbling through the dirt of a dark entry, heard a voice say, "Who's there, Honey?" Striking a match, he caught a vision of earthly want and suffering, of saintly trust and peace, "cut in ebony"calm, appealing . With this new birth, we receive an inheritance in heaven (v. 4). 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. Fundamentally we are expressing our praise to God; we are thinking about God, and the things of God; we are honoring the Savior. How he served on earth affected his future servicethe service he would do for the rest of his life. There is often a bonding that happens with others while going through hardship together. Praise God in the storms, through the battles, and when life gets hard. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Everything we know about God should cause us to regard and adore His greatness. We cannot contain our adoration for Him! As he speaks of the futility and darkness and ignorance of idolatry he says they exchanged the glory of God for images made to look like man and animals (Rom. Trials only last for a little while in comparison to our eternal salvation. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Trials have the same effect on a believers faith. In the Mosaic dispensation and during the United Kingdom period, any good victory achieved by the Army of Israel was attributed to God. His words explain how gratefulness reveals the condition of our hearts more than it does what's going on around us in our situations. I will also praise you with the harpfor your faithfulness, O my God;I will sing praises to you with the lyre,O Holy One of Israel.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 disappointedwho sought to do me hurt. Jesus said in his high priestly prayer in John 17:22 that the glory he had in heaven has been shared with us. Are you in a place that feels dry and perhaps a bit hopeless? The trial was not an accident it was necessary for your growth and maturation in Christ. Where do you find words of praise and thanksgiving when your heart is full of sorrow and struggle? I hope we too will have these thoughts about God; and through continued reading, study, prayer and practice -- I trust we will be drawn closer and closer to Him, worshipping Him and obeying Him from the heart. In fact, God is preserving this inheritance, keeping it from decay or being stolen, even right now. You work and sweat and put forth effort; then when you get to the summit, you enjoy the view; you adore this new perspective. Here are seven practical ways to trust God in your everyday life: 1. So amid cheers and to the sound of ram's horns, David and all the people of Israel carried the ark of the LORD. The father makes the child finish the season only because its necessary for his growth. My defender, my path, my victory. 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. Likewise, Psalms 117:2 - "For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. It is harder for them to love, harder for them to forgive, or harder for them to have peace. He is near to the brokenhearted ( Psalm 34:18 ). Its only the broken whom he can pour his precious grace through to minister to others. THINGS HAPPEN THAT WE TAKE NO PLEASURE IN. Use these timeless Bible verses about praising God in your prayers until your heart can find its own words. Confession of God's Promises - The basis of our authority in prayer is the word of God. Learn to PRAISE GOD in the midst of trouble from King David himself. A good example of this is Peter and Judas. There is a certain pain about life here on the earth and all the unpleasant things we encounter. It will become drudgery. 3. All rights reserved. Does it draw you closer to God, closer to his Word and closer to the people of God? They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They . My plans, my purpose, my schedule. You - When I consider the sentence that I am about to speak to God starting with the word "you" -. God rewards those who faithfully persevere. Listen to a few other texts: Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. We can rejoice in trials because they have purpose. (Isaiah 40:5, NIV). Charles Spurgeon, who was called the Prince of Preachers, used to struggle with depression that was so bad at times he couldnt leave his bed for weeks. John heard the great roar of the multitude in heaven; they were shouting: "Hallelujah! 118:15). Scripture commands us to think on godly things. Listen to what Paul says: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. In Isaiah we discover statements like this: "The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously. Paul said he was at the same time sorrowful and still rejoicing. To have joy in trials is not to deny pain. 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). Interpretation Question: Why would some trials be necessary and in what ways? True faith is ultimately indestructible because God keeps it by his power. 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. Psalm 138-141King James Version. What must we do if we have lost it? In Esther 3, we are introduced to an evil man, Hamanwho is a type of the anti-Christ to come. David in writing the Psalms expresses many praises to the Lord. Listen to what Christ said: Be faithful and you will be rewarded. God chose Psalm 63 for us to focus on at this time. Knowing that God is for you will strengthen your trust in Him during times of hardship and the unknown. Focus on the eternal glory; faithfulness in trials will be rewarded. He knows exactly what you need and how much you can handle. In this epistle, Peter is writing to Christians that are spread throughout Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. Let us hear that this inheritance is not only heavenly, but it will be earthly. David says, "In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. Remember that God is surrounding you! How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times, 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. He teaches you how to better hear Gods voice in times of suffering. Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. 57:5-6). It awakens your spiritual self to view a heavenly perspective. Paul did. Thats something we can rejoice in, even when our natural inheritance is taken away. Maybe the conversion was based on bad teaching? (Lk. This is the straight out truth from me. It is simple - praise to God reminds you that you are not alone. Paul saw his trials as short and momentary. We must develop an eternal perspective. I will reward those who have faith in the midst of their trials. He has brought us back to the basics. The next thing David said is, an acknowledgment of the ETERNITY OF GOD. David praises God for the truth of his word 4. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. These believers were being persecuted for following Christ; they were being persecuted for being different. It was beautiful, but when they put it into fire, they found out it wasnt. The Psalm tells us it was because of sin. In fact, James talks about a faith without works, as demonic faith. He says even the demons believe and shudder (Jas 2:19). These praises are not always after victory. In fact, they have lost their first love like the Ephesians. They are not haphazard; they are not by accidentand God has not forgotten about us. When David was in trouble, suffering and running from enemies he had these thoughts of God. 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. This relationship will carry you and give you joy. _________________________________________________. Let us remember, how Jesus responded to those who professed salvation in Matt 7:23; he says, I never knew you. They were not saved and lost it. 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 the Bible, there is such a thing as parental authority, but that authority is a function of God's order for the home. These would make any person proud. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. 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). Its also about the role we will play once we are there. It melted at a lower temperature. As you may know, reformed people see the major theme of Scripture as redemption, and therefore, in many of their sermons they come back to the gospel because they see everything connected to the gospel. David is expressing a feeling of abandonment, questioning if God has forgotten him. Victory. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. David's Prayer 10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. It brings memories of past miracles and reminds you of the goodness from God. Against the wrath.-- Or perhaps, upon the wrath. (Isaiah 24:23, NIV). It was not as strong or valuable. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Repeat the verse or portion of the verse often to give God your praise, honoring him. These cookies do not store any personal information. Are you faithfully seeking him in the midst of your trial? Amen. Scripture, or the Bible, is God's Word. David goes on to say that God is "enthroned on the praises of Israel."In other words, God has been praised by his people through the years, because he has been faithful to them and always sustained them. (Acts 13:22) One reason for this was his willingness to praise God even in the darkest of times. Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? He says you may have had to. This can be translated if necessary as in the ESV or if need be as seen in the KJV. 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. 3 who forgives all your sins. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. One of the ways we can tell is by our response to trials. It absolutely works! It tells your eyes that despite what you may see - you have a Creator. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. With this new birth, we receive an inheritance in heaven (v. 4). And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fadekept in heaven for you (1 Pet 1:4). In what way is this temporary? Now there are those who struggle with this and say, What about trials that come from Satan or my own failure? Yes, God is in control of those trials as well. Praise the Lord." 1:23). (Psalms 115:1, NIV). David writes in Psalm 142:4b-7, no one cares for my soul. Judas denied Christ and never returned. Praise the. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. Too many Christians fail to focus on the benefits of their salvation, and therefore, have lost joy when their inheritance on earth is affected. Many of them are in the middle of adversity and calamity. It is a mystery, but God brings comfort through the broken. It touches your heart to remember that God has saved you in the past with his son Jesus. What other reasons are trials necessary? God has chosen not reveal it. I have found many young Christians that have lost joy or even fallen into spiritual depression, thinking they had sinned in such a way that they had lost their salvation. Let praise bring you up above what you see in the world right now. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. Lean on the words of others until you find your own. This is Paul's outburst of praise, informed by revelation - and inspired by the sovereignty of God. There are many people in this life who never receive their natural inheritance. Psalm 73:26. Glory. This is like a mountain climber. No, this is about being so impressed by the character of God, so influenced by His marvelous attributes, we have to say something; we are compelled by the sheer power and majesty of the Lord to bless Him, or praise His name. Only with great difficulty are we able to try and wrap our minds around this concept of ETERNITY. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;save me and I will be saved,for you are the one I praise. Through godly behavior, we light the way for others. He recounts God's majesty, power, mercy, faithfulness, and covenant that David's descendants would reign as kings forever. Summary: This is a sermon that teaches us how to trust God in the times of trouble. Gold is one of the most precious metals because it is one of the most imperishable. 3:23). In the midst of his anguish, the psalmist (Ethan) begins his prayer with praise and worship. It was hard work to serve for her, but it felt like only a few days because of love. The trial given to Paul was a work of grace to keep him from the sin of pride. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope, Psalm 35:1-3 A Psalm of David. However, genuine faith lasts forever, and faith that ultimately falls away from God in the midst of trials is spurious. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge (Ps 51:4). When we pray God's promises back to Him and declare the beauty of His character as revealed in the Scriptures we align ourselves with . The first 21 verses are a cry to the Lord, laying out the problem that David finds . He writes to encourage them. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love (emphasis mine). By Warren E. Berkley From Expository Files 5.12; December 1998. "David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly " What does this mean?