1 Praise the LORD!
How joyful are those who fear the LORD
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
7 They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.
8 They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
9 They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor.
10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

As the world's wickedness heightens, why do I worry? Do I not believe that God is in control? He that created the universe has no problem guiding us through our difficulties, and all of these things work for the greater good . . . He is in control.

Faith is the mark of God's servants. Our hope is the object of our faith. It is an expectation that God will perform all he has promised to us in Christ. This gives the soul joy. Faith proves to the mind that things that cannot be seen by the bodily eye exist. It is an approval of all God has revealed, as holy, just, and good. Faith reveals itself in many examples of persons in former times, who obtained a good report, or an honourable character in the word of God. Faith was the principle of their holy obedience, remarkable services, and patient sufferings. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest the Scripture account of the creation, because it does not suit with the differing fancies of men. All that we see was created by God, and it is our faith that tells us that this is so.

II Corinthians 4:17 says: Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Back in July I blacked out in a parking lot. This followed a week of hospitalization of my wife of which I spent the entire time with her, receiving very little sleep, and a time in which she received 5 units of blood (two one day, and three more units three days later).

I don't know if this is considered courage and patience in the light of suffering, but this verse in 2 Corinthians sure came to mind during this time of suffering that my wife and I have just endured.

Achieving is the key word in this verse. These momentary troubles are achieving for us something very good, something that "far outweighs them all."

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the trials of our lives bring us to what the Lord has planned. Without these trials the road would be impassable because the events of our past would not have led us to that road, and we would not have the time-tested strengths to make our way down such a road. The Lord knows what He is doing, and it is our faith that will enable us to reach the destination He has prepared for us. The road, and the destination, may not be what we desire, but in His wisdom, that is the road and destination we must achieve.

Jesus promised to get us across the sea through all of the storms and tribulations. He never promised that it would be a smooth ride, only that he would get us there safely. Through the storms, however, we will be stronger, wiser, and more equipped to handle our future. We must only place it all in the Lord's hands.

And the eternal glory far outweighs them all - - our faith will lead us to Him.

Amen.

 

This does not mean that something like cancer or an automobile accident is good in itself. This means that in the broad scheme of things God can take all sufferings, sorrows, infirmities, and everything else of a discouraging and calamitous nature which might befall God's child on earth and turn them into good for the child of God. Not good necessarily in the sense of earthly prosperity, success, bodily health, or any other purely mortal benefit, but to the eternal felicity of the soul. Whatever might happen to the Christian in this life, God is able to overrule each earthly circumstance in such a manner as to turn it into a contributitive factor in the life of the Christian. Jesus promised to get us to the other side of the sea, but He did not promise it to be a smooth journey, and it is through these tribulations that we become stronger children of God.

Everything will not turn out all right for every person in any case. There stands a significant distinction - "to them that love God...Work together for good." God is at work on the Christian's behalf. The reaction of the child of God, or his response, to the ills of mortal life must be one of patience, submission, humility, prayer, love, hope, and faith. Even adversity of the severest kind must be made to yield its precious fruit in the heart of the Christian. Adversity is the blessing that strengthens us.

Prayer Changes Things!

Psalm 14

1
Only fools say in their hearts,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
no one does good!
2
The LORD looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding,
one who seeks for God.

3
But no, all have turned away from God;
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not even one!

4
Will those who do evil never learn?
They eat up my people like bread;
they wouldn't think of praying to the LORD.

5
Terror will grip them,
for God is with those who obey him.

6
The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
but the LORD will protect his people.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The Great Commission is to go out onto the world and preach the Gospel, and to make disciples of Christ. The good news is that He died for our sins and has risen again. There is only one of two directions one can go at death. Are you sure you will be with the Father in Heaven? Romans 10:13 says: For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Call unto Jesus. Place your life in His hands. Your eternal future depends on it.