King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2019
Chapters: Psalms 134, 146-150
Message: Praising God Through Our Challenges
Hello My Friend,
Happy Father’s Day to all the dad out there, and to You too, God. I was thinking about the challenges I have faced so far in my life, and also about the challenges the Israelites faced on their way to the promised land, one that God purposely did so they would not go running back to Egypt. The challenges we face in life are not necessarily to make life harder for us, they are what God uses to bring us to a complete dependence of Him so that we trust Him at all times. We must understand that as long as we are faithful to God He is right there with us, but we must turn to Him in faith. “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” – Matthew 8:24-26.
“Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea;” Jesus was well aware of the storm, He was right there with them, it was their fear, and lack of faith that kept them from trusting Him through the storm. Let me tell you, Jesus is not going to calm every storm, but He will save us from them all. So, do not ask God to calm the storm, ask Him to help you endure it. “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.” – Psalm 146:5-9.
“The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind:” God is very well capable of healing diseases, cancers, infirmities, and disabilities, and without medicines or help from practitioners, and there are several reasons why He may not. Believe it or not, God allows infirmities because we find great abilities through them, and if we turn to Jesus to help us with them then we have the great power of His strength in us to do more in our infirmities than we could ever do without them. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – II Corinthians 12:8-9.
“that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” There is nothing that we cannot get through and endure when we rest in the power of Christ. So, rather than give up on God or live the rest of our lives in some pity party we need to glory in our infirmities, that His power rests on us. Let me tell you, for over two years I have an infirmity in my knee, in the beginning I was literally in so much pain that I was consuming eight to ten ibuprofen a day. Then one day, I decided I had enough with all the pills and turned to Jesus. I changed my diet, made some adjustments in how I perform my daily tasks, and now I rarely take any. The pain, while it is not gone, is tolerable and many times unnoticeable because Jesus in all His grace gives me His strength to live happily through them.
“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” – Psalm 147:5-11.
“his understanding is infinite.” We do not have to understand everything about how God operates to know that His understanding is infinite. I get it, walking with God you learn that leaning on His understanding can be a bit confusing, especially when He asks you to do something that is completely opposite of what you are asking Him for. When it seems like everything you are doing is not enough, and you are still not where you want to be, that is when you really need to praise Him. We do not realize what God is actually doing when He gives us a little glimpse of hope, then another challenge to face it, He is preparing us, and making us ready to receive what He has in store for us.
“Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” – Psalm 148:1-5,11-13.
“for he commanded, and they were created.” Just think about that for a second, God commanded that you be conceived, and just like that you were created. Knowing this sure does bring some perspective, and also very deep sadness knowing how little life is valued today. Jesus knew every nook and cranny of you, and still never thought twice about giving His life to save your soul. “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.” – Psalm 149:4-9.
“he will beautify the meek with salvation.” The meek, those who humble themselves from the pride of their self works and turn to Jesus, are beautified with His salvation. Amen! When we praise God in the midst of our challenges, it is likely that we not only change our faith, we give hope to others as well. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Romans 5:1-5.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” – Psalm 147:2.
Today’s Prayer: God, I know it is not healthy trying to face my challenges on my own, all it does is make things worse. You know what is best for me, You are preparing great things for me while I endure these challenges, and You are expecting me to praise You through them all. I praise You God, for all that You are, for mending my broken heart piece by piece, for giving me the strength in my weakness, for giving me rest in Your grace, for Your mercy and grace, and for Your love for me. Lord, lead me and guide me, fill me with Your power, strength, and grace to endure every challenge and see those blessings unfold as I put my complete trust and faith in You, ant all times. In Jesus’ name., I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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