What a hard, hard few days it has been, pain wise, and this morning, I awoke to a difficult time. I prayed and asked Him for help, … and perhaps a place, a verse to help me to think on… and below are some of my thoughts which I hope will encourage you if you are in such a place…. be encouraged, hard times can lead us to seeing Him and leaning afresh on Him and recalling His goodness to us and learning from the lives of others as we see Him in their lives… a couple of thoughts to start off with…
* When The Time Of Testing Came They Chose To PRAY – {2 Chron 20:3} – “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”
* When The Time Of Testing Came They Chose To PRAISE.-{v21-23}“…When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who PRAISED HIM in holy attire, as AS THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” When they began singing and PRAISING, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.”- {2 Chron 20:21-23}.
NOTE; they went forward by faith and SPECIFICALLY Gave Him THANKS and PRAISE…for…
- – His Lovingkindness… which is-
- – Everlasting…BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR PRAISE!It can be something like this….”Thank You and I PRAISE You LORD, that You have and Shown me Your Lovingkindness, in seeking me out and convicting me, saving me, sustaining me and specifically… {Ask Him to help remind you of how specifically He has shown His lovingkindness to you}. I Thank You and I PRAISE You LORD, that your lovingkindness, is not for a moment, but EVERLASTING. Praise YOU that I have not missed out on it or am I too late for it, but as long as I live I can count on You and your everlasting love towards me. As Long as You ARE, So Is Your Lovingkindness- Everlasting love! I thank You and I PRAISE YOU!”
NOTE- He is the FOCUS of PRAISE.- Their Troubles, were used to turn them to … Him, His Character, His Promises. Troubles always seek to turn us somewhere, often away from Him… but ASK HIM, TO HELP YOU TO LEARN TO TURN TO HIM and PRAISE HIM….
Jehoshaphat earlier had said upon receiving the news that they were going to be under attack and killed, Jehospahat was “afraid,” he does not deny that, but he did not stop there with that powerful destructive emotion, he “turned his attention to SEEK the LORD and proclaimed a fast….sought the LORD… {V “.O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”..”… {V 12}
When you “FEEL” you don’t know what to do, REMEMBER YOU DO KNOW WHAT TO DO-…. “…BUT, Our eyes are on YOU”{v 12}
Chose to PRAY to Him. Chose To PRAISE Him… And let the thanksgiving and PRAISE begin to Him!