Concepts and Connections. Maybe that was why God allowed Peter to go through such a humbling trial at the cross since he would be the Lords chief Apostle. The book of Hebrews begins with an eloquent, beautiful statement about GOD SPEAKING THROUGH THIS SON (Heb. I can definitely use help choosing words to praise and honor God. I will rejoice over them and honor them. Trials can create a tremendous intimacy. In the Mosaic dispensation and during the United Kingdom period, any good victory achieved by the Army of Israel was attributed to God. 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. Maybe the conversion was based on bad teaching? My defender, my path, my victory. WE PRAISE GOD THROUGH THE INFLUENCE OF FAITHFUL LIVES "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." They have lost it, and instead, are loving other things more than Christ. This verse can also be translated as a command rejoice in this. The believers were suffering in all kinds of trials. 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. 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. I thirst for you, How can we develop and sustain an eternal view point? I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;even at night my heart instructs me.I keep my eyes always on the Lord. In two Old Testament books - perhaps more than most of the others - we are told, over and over, about the glory of God: Isaiah and Psalms. 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). are - This is taking place right this minute. Then the final ascription: TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOR EVER! In fact, they have lost their first love like the Ephesians. I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In Psalms, statements like this: The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. When it seems like my world is crumbling around me and I am thrown around by the storms of my life, take away my fear. God is the one who gives you faith (Ephesians 2:89), and he is the one who keeps it. Many of them are in the middle of adversity and calamity. 48:10). God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. 116 views, 2 likes, 2 loves, 9 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Unity Temple Church of God in Christ: 2nd Sunday Service Thank you for. It is to recognize the fact that they can exist together. Are you faithfully seeking him in the midst of your trial? In the midst of his anguish, the psalmist (Ethan) begins his prayer with praise and worship. 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. His Word has reached our hearts and had the intended influence. Wow! How do you respond to trials? 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. What is this about? My calling to ministry was also marked by trials. 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. Psalm 138-141King James Version. Focus on our relationship with Christ; trials can bring deep intimacy with Christ. It is a mystery, but God brings comfort through the broken. You work and sweat and put forth effort; then when you get to the summit, you enjoy the view; you adore this new perspective. We are trained by persevering through the trial and seeking the Lord and his Word in the midst of it. Big Question: What does Peter teach as secrets to joy in the midst of trials? Christ taught the same thing. 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. A good example of this is Peter and Judas. What other reasons are trials necessary? It is this loving relationship with Christ that allows us to endure and have joy in trial or tribulation. The psalm itself could be split into three sections. In the Parable of the Minas, listen again to what the master told the servant who used his minas well: The first one came and said, Sir, your mina has earned ten more. Well done, my good servant! his master replied. (Matthew 5:16, NIV). Step by step he has shown how God has devised and revealed a way of putting sinners right with himself; how Christ died for our sins, and was raised for our justification; how we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection; how the Christian life is lived by walking in the Spirit not the flesh. Focus on eternity; trials are brief in comparison to eternity. 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. Death is the ultimate way to turn someone from sin. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Let us hear that this inheritance is not only heavenly, but it will be earthly. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. I dont necessarily have to experience exactly what they have gone through to comfort them. David says, "In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. of This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I will give them a crown. Peter saw this and focused on this in the midst of his trials. I stand at the door and knock. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Amalekites would kill children, the elderly, and those who were tiredly straggling behind. How can you turn your eyes to God and sing his praises when life is hard? Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. Where do you find words of praise and thanksgiving when your heart is full of sorrow and struggle? 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. But we see this reality throughout the Scripture. How can this bring joy? Fundamentally we are expressing our praise to God; we are thinking about God, and the things of God; we are honoring the Savior. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in meput it into practice. Matthew (164). It is possible to work hard for Christ, persevere through trials, to hate what God hates, and yet still lose our love for Christ. 2. my - Mine. Whatever Pauls trial, it was given to him because of the surpassing great revelations he had received from God. "Save me, O God!": This psalm attributed to David is a cry of despair to the Lord when he was being afflicted by enemies that seemed to surround him at all times. Understanding this reality is one of the major reasons we can rejoice in the midst of trials. Proud member (Isaiah 24:23, NIV). This is not their fault, and it is not necessarily a lack of spirituality. His words explain how gratefulness reveals the condition of our hearts more than it does what's going on around us in our situations. Knowing that God is for you will strengthen your trust in Him during times of hardship and the unknown. But eventually - analysis and argument must give way to adoration. 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 . Its one of the ways we can tell if its genuine. 1:16). What we do today will affect our eternity. This reservoir allows you to go deeper than you have before. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. It proves to us and others that we are part of the kingdom of God (Philip 1:28, 29). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 1:1-4). David writes in Psalm 142:4b-7, no one cares for my soul. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.1 Corinthians 11:3032. Why? In Esther 3, we are introduced to an evil man, Hamanwho is a type of the anti-Christ to come. Christ said, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Matt 28:20). He has brought us back to the basics. Trials only last for a little while in comparison to our eternal salvation. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Are you in a place that feels dry and perhaps a bit hopeless? - God says in Psalm 50:23. Application Question: What are your thoughts about the concept of God being in control of every trial and him only allowing them if they are necessary? 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. Praise God in the storms, through the battles, and when life gets hard. What does Peter mean? How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times, 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all." (1) We must confess our sins and turn away from them. They were lying to the church about their giving and because of this God took them home. Related Topics: Christian Life, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Greg Brown earned his MA in religion and MA in teaching from Trinity International University, a MRE from Liberty University, and a PhD in theology from Louisiana Baptist University. 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). My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? God will honor those who have been faithful in the way they have persevered through trials. 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. When I am weak, you are my strength. This is something we can rejoice in even in the midst of trials. In order that he would not become proud, God humbled him through a demonic affliction. This life is not just about our future career, marriage, or retirement. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Peter, in speaking to these Christians, says they are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy because of their love and belief in Christ.
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