Praise Even When

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. – (Romans 5:3-5, NLT)

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! – (Romans 5:3-5, MSG)

 

I am certain that I have read this passage at least a dozen times before, but for some reason, this morning, it is sinking in a bit differently. Perhaps it is through reading The Message translation, as it speaks of praising “even when we’re hemmed in with troubles” rather than “rejoicing when we run into problems and trials”. Personally, my mind can conceive the “even so“ concept, as God is good even when our circumstances are not, and I know that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Each trial that we traverse, every struggle He grants us strength to navigate, further grow our faith and help our hope the next time we face difficulties. When we look back on where He has brought us from, we can see the overwhelming faithfulness of God and the generous outpouring of love lavished upon us by His Holy Spirit. May we ever give praise to He who is always worthy, as He is the one who supplies the strength and endurance needed to navigate each challenge, as He pours into our lives, His love.

 

In midst of trial,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

We can, even so;

Give praise unto God,

For His love we know.

He’s faithful to help,

Grants strength as we go;

Our reason for hope,

Sure truth that we know.

Troubles grow patience,

That helps us endure;

Confidence in hope,

As His love’s secure.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we have reason to praise You no matter what troubles or trials we face because You are good and You will use all things to grow us in You. Thank You that troubles develop endurance and strength of character so that we may more clearly reflect Your heart to the world. Forgive us for fleeing the fire before us, rather than facing the fight in Your strength as You hold us in Your hands. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would receive all that You generously give as we go through the highs and lows of life. Show us how to love well all those whom we encounter, so that they may see glimpses of Your heart for them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You on every step of our path as You provide Your presence and Your peace. Amen.

 

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

Good and Just, We Can Trust

Everything He does is good and fair. All His commands can be trusted. – (Psalm 111:7, ERV)

Though we often do not understand the direction that the Lord leads us, His purposes are good and His ways can be trusted. What may seem to be terrible turmoil, often turns out to be a space of refining, where wrong thinking is removed and our hearts are made right before Him. In our space of uncertainty, we learn that in Him, we can truly trust. His ways are good and just, and He is for us, despite how things appear. May we recognize the truth that the Lord is good and fair in all of His ways, and the His commands can be trusted, no matter how things around us appear.

Our hope is not held,

image from quotespictures.com

in that which is seen;

but rather in Christ,

and what that shall mean.

For the Lord is good,

and His ways are just;

His commands are truth,

we can always trust.

He will only lead,

where He will go too;

His presence remains,

to help get us through.

Sometimes things are tough,

and we wonder why;

we must trust and know,

on Whom we rely.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and fair, and that all Your commands can be trusted. Thank You that You are for us and not against us, no matter how things appear. Thank You that even when things seem upside down and sideways, You are present, and often are using our circumstances to refine us and teach us to trust You more. Forgive us for fleeing difficultly, or loathing that which is a struggle. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace our obstacles, knowing that You are beside us, and will see us through – granting us all that is needed to overcome. Lead us to love others in such a way, that they might see You in us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize that You are good and fair in all of Your ways, and that Your commands can be trusted, always. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. – Psalm 34:8