When battles rage ~ TRUST our powerful God!!!
Things looked bleak for the nation of God ~ kingdoms were in conflict during the reign of wicked King Ahab and his relatives. After the death of these wicked Kings, you would think that the people would run to righteousness and flee wickedness, but not so. When Athaliah, King Ahaziah's mother, heard of the death of her son, she took matters in her own hands. She too was a wicked woman who did evil in the sight of the Lord.
"When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But" . . . Don't you just love to see what happens when that word is inserted in a sentence. "But Jehosheba, the daughter of Jehoram, and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land." 2 Kings 11:1-3
The war was raging, but God was in control. The little boy Joash was saved ~ saved to become King. "Joash was seven years old when he began to reign." 2 Kings 11:21 Just when it looked like satan would win and defeat God's plan, God intervened and accomplished His purpose for the nation of Israel. NOTHING or no one stops His plan or His purpose, regardless of what the situation may look like. God is sovereign over all things!!!
Warren Wiersbe in With the Word says, "Events around you may create doubts and fears in your heart, and you may wonder if God knows what is going on and if He cares. Rest assured that God not only knows and cares but that He is working out His purposes in spite of the evil deeds of wicked people. God does not need great armies to accomplish His plans. He can use a boy seven years old to change the course of a nation Often when circumstances are the most difficult, God surprises you with a special victory. Trust Him!"
Who or what are you trusting in today?
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
Friday, July 13, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Encouragement . . . for the Journey
Worship dispels worry . . .
"What comes from the Lord because it is impossible for humans to manufacture it? Wisdom."
"What comes from humans because it is impossible for the Lord to experience it? Worry."
"And what is it that brings wisdom and dispels worry? Worship."
Chuck Swindoll (The Living Insights Bible)
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His Holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks, and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
Warren Wiersbe, in With the Word, explains the passage in this way:
"What comes from the Lord because it is impossible for humans to manufacture it? Wisdom."
"What comes from humans because it is impossible for the Lord to experience it? Worry."
"And what is it that brings wisdom and dispels worry? Worship."
Chuck Swindoll (The Living Insights Bible)
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His Holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks, and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
Warren Wiersbe, in With the Word, explains the passage in this way:
"Praise before the storm (1-2)
David called on the angels in heaven to ascribe praise to God. You never know when a storm is coming, so be sure you are worshiping Him and giving Him glory. The greatest beauty of all is the beauty of holiness, and it comes from worshiping the Lord.
Power in the storm (3-9)
First the thunder rolled over the Mediterranean Sea. Then the storm broke and moved across the land. Seven times the storm is call "the voice of the LORD." (see Rev. 10:3-4) What power there is in a storm! Even the angels shout, "Glory!" as they watch it!
Peace after the storm (10-11)
David may have seen a rainbow and remembered God's promise given after the Flood (Gen. 9:8-17). God sat as King at the Flood, and He is still King! No storm is greater than God. If you trust Him, the storm will bring glory to God. If life is stormy just now, worship Him and wait on Him. The storm will pass, and He will give you peace."
Today, choose to praise God in the storm ~ Trust His mighty power for your sufficiency in the storm ~ Experience His peace that passes all human understanding!!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends alll understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7
David called on the angels in heaven to ascribe praise to God. You never know when a storm is coming, so be sure you are worshiping Him and giving Him glory. The greatest beauty of all is the beauty of holiness, and it comes from worshiping the Lord.
Power in the storm (3-9)
First the thunder rolled over the Mediterranean Sea. Then the storm broke and moved across the land. Seven times the storm is call "the voice of the LORD." (see Rev. 10:3-4) What power there is in a storm! Even the angels shout, "Glory!" as they watch it!
Peace after the storm (10-11)
David may have seen a rainbow and remembered God's promise given after the Flood (Gen. 9:8-17). God sat as King at the Flood, and He is still King! No storm is greater than God. If you trust Him, the storm will bring glory to God. If life is stormy just now, worship Him and wait on Him. The storm will pass, and He will give you peace."
Today, choose to praise God in the storm ~ Trust His mighty power for your sufficiency in the storm ~ Experience His peace that passes all human understanding!!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends alll understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7
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