Rejoice In Tribulation

The circumstances of this life should not alter my view of God's goodness.

Habakkuk 2:14  For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.

Habakkuk 3:1-2  This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk:  2  I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,  18  yet I will rejoice in the LORD!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!  19  The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

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Habakkuk has been struggling with God in the first two chapters of his short book. He has shown us that we should wait on the Lord and decide that we will trust him to take care of us for this life and for eternity no matter what the circumstances look like. When we come to know God in this way our natural response to God is to worship him.

As God answered his prayers, Habakkuk grew in his awareness of the glory of the Lord and his knowledge and control of every detail, his view of God grew so much that he compared it to the waters that fill the seas.

God's glory is also known because people have been talking about it and writing books about it for thousands of years. Habakkuk is amazed at the great deeds that God has done for his people because he has read the books that Moses wrote and he has heard a lot of stories that have been passed down about God's power and glory.

Exodus 7:5  When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”

In spite of God's superiority over the man made gods of Egypt they still didn't acknowledge him as the one true God. It is incredible that God's glory was denied even in the grandest display of his power in sending the plagues to Egypt.

We tend to blame the Pharaoh for Egypt's troubles but it has occurred to me that the people of Egypt didn't show any signs that they were willing to turn from their little gods any more than Pharaoh was.

Habakkuk knows that God has used his power to benefit his chosen people in the past and he hopes that he will do it again. He knows that the only power that is sufficient to save is the same power that has been proven in the past. But he also knows that God won't always use his power to end our suffering.

We say that God is good when things are going our way but sometimes his blessings come to us in disguise. We usually pray for the difficult times to go away, none of us like for anything to be tough, but what if those difficulties are the very thing that God is using to send blessings your way?

When God judges his people it is for their benefit even if it doesn't feel or look like it is.

God's Judgment Is Like:

A thunderstorm that is seen approaching over the tops of the southern mountains (Habakkuk 3:3-4); A plague from which no one escapes (Habakkuk 3:5); An earthquake that terrorizes the nations and shakes the mountains (Habakkuk 3:6); A desert wind that blows down the Arab’s tents (Habakkuk 3:7); The overthrow of enemies in battle, whether by armies or by the spectacular intervention of the forces of nature (Habakkuk 3:8-9); A flood that sweeps everything away (Habakkuk 3:10); An eclipse of the sun that leaves the earth in darkness (Habakkuk 3:11); The triumph of a warrior who kills his enemies and saves his people (Habakkuk 3:12-15). Bridgeway Bible Commentary by Missionary Don Fleming

Habakkuk knows that God is right to be angry but he knows that God is also merciful even in judgment. He knows that God is good even when there isn't any resources available to sustain us. There isn't any food available today and there isn't anything in the garden or in the pasture that will provide food anytime soon but that doesn't change the goodness and glory of God.

Because God always deserves praise and glory, Habakkuk will rejoice in these circumstances, he knows that his joy doesn't come from the abundance of things that he has or how easy his life is, he will rejoice because the God of his salvation is his delight. (Psalm 34:1)

Hard times can push you to new heights or they will destroy you. Your suffering will make you far better or far worse that you were before. Will you be better or bitter? Will suffering make you humble or arrogant?

I need to rejoice because God is using everything for his glory which ultimately leads to me spending eternity with him singing his praises for my undeserved salvation. I should not allow the circumstances of this life to alter my view of the glory of God and his unrelenting goodness to his people.

RELATED ARTICLES

God’s Zeal for His Own Glory (desiringgod.org)
Book of Habakkuk (diggingtheword.blogspot.com)

Who Are You?

What defines who you are? What would you do if all that were taken away?

Video: Hillsong Worship - Who You Say I Am

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

In my Father's house

There's a place for me

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

What defines who you are? As a child of God, Satan knows who you are and how powerful your life can be, he just hopes that he can keep you from knowing it. Cheap substitutes is all that Satan has to offer you to keep you from living up to your full potential.

Satan will get you to define yourself in ways that involve your family, friends your career or good deeds but any of these things can be taken away and then what do you have to stand on?

If you lose the thing that defines you then your life will feel empty and meaningless when it is gone. You need to be defined by something eternal so that you won't be crushed when your circumstances change.

Overcomer - Hannah Scott Quote
I am created by God. He designed me, so I’m not a mistake. His Son died for me, just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be his own, so I’m chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me because He loves me. So I don’t wonder anymore, Coach Harrison. I am a child of God.

How Satisfied Are You?

The pleasures of this world will never satisfy your desires.

Proverbs 27:20 Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

Psalms 63:1-3 O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!

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It seems like every time you get a receipt there is an invite to take a survey and let somebody know about your experience. Most companies that you do business with want to be sure that you are pleased with the experience. If we are unhappy then somebody is going to hear about it.

Sometimes we approach God the same way, we expect him to make us happy and to give us a better life, we expect service from him and if we don't get it then we will be giving him a bad review. God doesn't have any comment cards or online surveys to fill out and there isn't a chance to win a prize for giving him our opinion.

You would probably think that there wasn't any reason for discontent back in the Garden of Eden but you would be wrong. It is difficult to imagine how it was living life before the effects of sin damaged everything. Life in the garden included daily walks with God, no struggle for food and huge beast that meant you no harm.

Even in the most ideal circumstances man's desire to be in control and to get more for himself was still present. As far as we know, there was only one rule to live by in the garden, eat from any tree that you want except for the one that God said was off limits. It sounds easy enough but we have all been led astray just as easy as Adam and Eve were.

God was angry because Adam took the gifts of God and used them for his own purposes, so that he became his own god.

-Tony Evans

We act like God's purpose is to make us happy and content but that is not a priority for him. It sounds absurd to say it but in reality that is the way that we behave. Our consumer mentality follows us to church and we expect the church to serve us.

We want more and more of the things that do not satisfy as if it will someday be enough. We want to control what we have and how much we have instead of looking to him to satisfy.

This lack of contentment is behind our fat stomachs, our adulterous relationships, and our excessive drive to put more money in the bank. Our desire for pleasure is out of control because we do not get our desires fulfilled by the infinite source of pleasure.

Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

We need to develop an appetite for the one that created our appetites in the first place. If we really know him and love him then we will desire him and let go of our desire to be indulged by lesser things.

I need to be anxious for opportunities to meet with God, to be excited to spend a few more minutes talking to him and studying the Bible, I need to redirect my cravings to the source if satisfaction that my soul longs for.

Psalms 23:5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

My earthly desires need to fade away as I present myself as a living sacrifice. I will be content with less of the toys that the world seeks to have and I need to be satisfied by giving instead of getting more.

I need to give away my time, talents and treasures for the work of the gospel. I wasn't blessed with all of these things so that I can store them up and use them for myself. I have been given much so that I can accomplish much for the sake of the gospel.

RELATED ARTICLES

The Measure (thelife.com)
Four Qualifications For Finding Contentment (ligonier.org)

Why?

Don't let your heart be troubled when Jesus doesn't make sense to you.

 

John 13:36-38  Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are You going?" And Jesus replied, "You can't go with Me now, but you will follow Me later."  37  "But why can't I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I'm ready to die for You."  38  Jesus answered, "Die for Me? I tell you the truth, Peter--before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me.

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Life is so difficult and seems out of control, things do not add up and we cannot make sense of what is going on, we have all been through those times when you just want to scream at God and ask him if he really knows what he is doing. That is the situation these eleven men find themselves in.

Not too long ago Jesus caused quite a stir when he raised Lazarus from the dead, they must have thought that the coming Kingdom was about to be established, instead Jesus leaves the crowds and takes them to a village in the desert, these guys were never able to figure out what was going to happen next.

Why are we out here?

This couldn't have made any sense to the twelve disciples. They didn't realize that even as the religious leaders were purifying the people in preparation for Passover they were simultaneously plotting Jesus death. (John 11:54-57)

As Passover drew near Jesus went back towards Jerusalem and stopped in Bethany where he had dinner with his friends. While they were at the dinner Mary came into the room with expensive perfume that she used to anoint Jesus.

Why is Jesus talking about his burial?

They could have had a church fund-raiser and used the money to help the poor. They all blindly went along with Judas and agreed that this was a big waste of money. (John 12:1-8)

Now this is more like it they must have thought as they walked on toward Jerusalem and saw the crowds running out to meet them as they sang their praises for the arrival of the Messiah. But instead of capitalizing on the momentum and taking charge he is deeply troubled and starts to pray. (John 12:29)

Why is Jesus talking about defeating Satan?

This crowd just wants somebody to make today a better day and improve the outlook for their future. Get rid of the burden that the Romans had them living under. Obviously Jesus was opposed to the plan that the crowd was pushing for and his kingdom was a disappointment to them.

Why is everything not as we thought?

There was so much chaos and unanswered questions on that day. Isn't he the Messiah? We just gave him a Messiah's welcome when he came into the city. Isn't the Messiah going to live forever? (John 12:34-36)

We thought that Jesus was our leader and now he is acting like our servant and washing our feet! What do you mean that you are going somewhere and I have to stay here? We thought that our small group was solid but now we have learned that one of us has been living a lie and Jesus tells us that the rest of us will all desert him.

Why would Jesus treat us this way?

 In the middle of all of the turmoil that the disciples are going through, none of them had much thought for the emotions that Jesus was feeling. He was with his small group yet he was all alone. None of them showed any interest in Jesus' suffering and offer up any comfort.

"Now My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to Your name."

We gave up three years of our life for him and now he is leaving? They had to wonder how safe they were because Jesus enemies also hated them. Would they be the next to die?

Despite the feelings that Jesus had, his deep sorrow and grief, nobody else notices! Yet he is so in touch with their feelings and he is so concerned with their ability to cope with the circumstances even though he knows that they will desert him later that same night.

Don't Be Troubled
John 14:1-3  "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.  2  There is more than enough room in My Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  3  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.

When your heart is troubled Jesus calls on us to have faith in him and his promises, "you cannot see God but you believe in him therefore believe in me even though you won't be able to see me anymore." A lot of confusion about what was going on was due to their misconceptions about the Messiah which are getting blown away but they still needed to know that their faith was not in vain. (1 Peter 1:8)

They still had every reason to believe in God and in his son Jesus. They had every reason to believe that they have a home in heaven that is being made ready for them and when it is ready he will come back for us. You only prepare a place for someone if you are confident of their arrival, we don't have to worry about getting their on our own, Jesus himself will come to get us and escort us into the Father's house.

Victory In Jesus: Romans 8:35-37, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Hebrews 13:6, 1 John 5:4-5

Don't let your heart be troubled when Jesus doesn't make sense to you. Faith in God and in Jesus is the cure for a troubled heart, believers should be the most peaceful people but in reality we are not much different from the rest of the world, usually this is due to a lack of faith. If you're discontent, worried, anxious, or otherwise in need of comfort, the reason can be that you don't trust Jesus as much as you should.

We do what the disciples did, we have all of the same confusion and questions, we focus on our problems and trust in their power to wipe us out more than we trust in God. We know that our ultimate future is very bright. When we arrive at our father's house he will take care of all the hurts and the needs of his children, there won't be any unmet needs and no wanting for anything.

Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 

Just like Jesus looked beyond the present sufferings to his future glory, we should keep our eyes on the higher purposes of God and realize that these troubles that we have in this present world are very temporary. (Romans 8:18).

Thank you Lord for caring for me, help me to realize the impact of that, since I know you care for me I know that I can trust you for every situation that I don't understand. Help me to grow in faith so that I won't let my heart be troubled when you don't make sense to me.

Is Jesus The Lord?

The crowds try to make Jesus the servant.

John 6:1-5  After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias.

2  A huge crowd kept following Him wherever He went, because they saw His miraculous signs as He healed the sick.

3  Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with His disciples around Him.  4  (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)  5  Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for Him. Turning to Philip, He asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"

John 6:14-15  When the people saw Him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely, He is the Prophet we have been expecting!"  15  When Jesus saw that they were ready to force Him to be their king, He slipped away into the hills by Himself.

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The crowds that are following Jesus are continuing to grow, and why not? Jesus is doing some pretty cool stuff. After a big disturbance in Jerusalem he moved on to Galilee and he is really gaining in popularity.

In Galilee alone the Centurion's servant has been healed, the son of the widow of Nain is alive again, remember Jairus' daughter, the two blind men, the woman who touched His clothes, a demonic who couldn't speak. All of this has happened right here in Galilee!

Deuteronomy 18:15 Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

This crowd was looking for someone that would save them from the oppression of the Romans, they wanted to see the fulfillment of the hope that Moses gave them that another prophet would rise up to help them.

The crowds were looking for somebody that would make their life a lot easier, they wanted a Messiah who healed and fed them and was a physical earthly Messiah that would help their country. The free lunch and healing Messiah was all they wanted and sometimes Jesus disciples felt the same way.

What Can Jesus Do For Me?
John 6:29-30  Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent." They answered, "Show us a miraculous sign if You want us to believe in You. What can You do?"

They were just like a lot of people in our world who want that same kind of Jesus. They want one who will just do everything for them and make no demands. They like the help but they don't want to hear that this Jesus requires something of them. They didn't have any thought of repentance at all.

One test of whether I am truly submitting to God is how I react to my circumstances. Am I grumbling or giving thanks when things don't go the way that I wanted them to go. If God choose this situation that I am in and he did so for my good then who am I to try to take charge.

Who is really the lord of my life? If I am using God then I am promoting myself to the position of lord and I am trying to make him my servant. Jesus does not want followers who use Him for their own purposes, but followers who grow to know Him and trust Him for who He is and allow him to be Lord.

Forgive me Lord for making myself the lord and putting you in the place of the servant. I want to live for your glory and be obedient to you instead of trying to get you to obey me.

Growing Big Faith - Pivotal Circumstances

God uses circumstances that seem to have no good purpose to grow your faith.

John 11:11-15  Then He said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up."  12  The disciples said, "Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!"   

13  They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.   

14  So He told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.  15  And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."

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In this very familiar story we find the best example of God using difficult circumstances to work out something good in our spiritual journey. Jesus received a message that one of his best friends is dying and everybody is surprised that he doesn't do something to save him. At the very least we expect Jesus to heal Lazarus by remote control. He could have easily spoke it and sent the messenger back with the good news but he didn't do anything at all.

Imagine Mary and Martha caring for their brother and stopping to take a look down the street every now and then to see if Jesus was on the way. Imagine the hurt as they recalled the thousands of people that Jesus healed. Didn't he heal a Roman? So where is he? Imagine answering their friends when they were asked over and over again, "where is your friend Jesus?"

John 11:14-15  So He told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.  15  And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."

Belief is very important so Jesus used this situation for the disciples benefit. A situation that he seems to have created on purpose. Belief is more important than answered prayer and healing, more important that sparing Lazarus a death that may have been painful. Belief is more important than sparing Mary and Martha the emotional turmoil that they endured. Imagine the pain that they and their extended family and friends felt as they mourned.

They didn't have theology yet to explain that this situation may have some benefit for somebody. Even if they did there isn't anything comforting about theology. Even Jesus was moved to tears in this situation even though he understood the purpose for all of the pain.

John 11:25-26  Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying.  26  Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?"

Jesus ask us the same question he asked Martha, "do you believe?" Do you believe in me even though the circumstances are not easy, even though your prayers were not answered and your friends mocked you? How do you know you have faith if it is never tested?

John 11:39-40  "Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible."  40  Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"

We prefer that God get the glory through a positive experience in our life, isn't it more fun to score the winning touchdown and stop for a moment to give him credit for our talents, we prefer to stay comfortable while we give God the glory.

James 1:2-4  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  3  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  4  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Pivotal circumstances are usually painful circumstances that can make or break our faith. We have all prayed and waited for Jesus to do something but as we wait the situation gets worse and we are tempted to forget about our faith. Will you endure and flex your faith muscle or will you walk away?

Our community of Christian friends should help encourage us to keep the faith and grow instead of walking away. The people that come beside us on our journey of faith will help us see that life is hard and sometimes it is hard because God is working on growing our faith.

Growing Big Faith - Personal Ministry - Part 2

Personal ministry requires us to trust Jesus and get out of the boat.

Matthew 14:28-33 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.

“Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

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In the previous post Jesus and the disciples had taken a boat across the lake to get away from the crowds that were out of control. It looks like Jesus was trying to get away from the crowds but it could be that he was setting up a teachable moment for his disciples.

An important lesson on faith was the result of this boat ride across the lake. They had gone to a remote area and they needed food for the crowd but the only source of food was a small lunch basket. The disciples learned that they need to give Jesus what little they have and allow him to take care of the rest. That was Faith 101, the followup course, Faith 201 is coming right up.

The disciples are taking another boat ride but this time they are without Jesus. They are in the boat doing what they know how to do. They are experienced and have plenty of training at navigating a boat in a lake, they are at ease, they probably think "finally, Jesus asks us to do something that we know how to do."

The problem is that you don't learn very much in that situation and great things don't usually happen so let's throw in a bad storm and get them out of their comfort zone. They have been out there for hours and they were panicked, then it gets worse, Jesus saw their situation and went out across the water to them, they see him and now they are really freaked out.

The disciples are once again in a situation that seems impossible, earlier in the day they witnessed the impossible when Jesus fed the crowds, now they are in a situation that their experience tells them is hopeless. They are probably sure that this boat is going to sink.

Need Help?

Psalms 37:5  Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.

Peter realized that he could do anything that Jesus asked him to do, he learned that when they fed the crowd a few hours ago, he just needed to know that Jesus was asking. Peter told Jesus to ask him to get out of the boat and walk across the water, so Jesus invites him to come.

Maybe the other disciples in the boat were thinking just get out of the boat but Peter wanted to know that Jesus wanted him to do it. The difference between faith and stupidity, you don't want to be out of God's will when you are making such a bold move, Peter asked Jesus to take him out of his comfort zone.

Peter may have thought "I dont know how to walk on water but I know how to get out of a boat and I know how to walk, I am going to trust Jesus with the rest." And so he trusted, until he took his eyes off Jesus and took a look around at his surroundings, he was reminded of what he couldn't do. He started thinking about his ability.

Instead of trusting in the one that can take you beyond what you can do you decide to look at your abilities and play it safe. Just about every minister, just about every ministry started with somebody that was willing to get out of the boat, insecurity is common to all of us.

Is God asking you to feed a crowd with what you have in your hands? Is he asking you to stand up and get out of the boat? When these things happen then God gets the credit but if you don't step out then you will never know what God may have accomplished through you.

Help me to trust you Lord and have big faith, big enough to pray the Peter prayer and ask Jesus to invite me out of your comfort zone.

God Will Lift Up Your Head

SCRIPTURE

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Heb 6:18-20 (Living)  He has given us both his promise and his oath, two things we can completely count on, for it is impossible for God to tell a lie. Now all those who flee to him to save them can take new courage when they hear such assurances from God; now they can know without doubt that he will give them the salvation he has promised them.

19 This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven, 20 where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as our High Priest, with the honor and rank of Melchizedek.

OBSERVATION

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Have you ever seen the face of a person without hope? On a mission trip in Athens I was at a refugee center that was providing for the most basic needs for food, clothing and language skills but more important than these they were giving out some hope, it was the good news about Jesus. Although there were many unhappy faces there I remember one man in particular that I was moved by, he seemed to be very troubled, alone and without hope for a better day.

What a terrible sight to see a person without hope, you never hear of hope as a basic necessity but I say that it is almost that important, for without hope life doesn’t seem worth showing up for. No matter how things look today with hope you can draw strength that tomorrow will be a better day but without hope you cannot see yourself making it through the difficulties of this day.

Those that know their loving creator and have a relationship with him have hope in this life and a hope for eternity. Hebrews 6 says that those who have their hope in the Lord have an anchor for their soul, firm and secure.

It brings to mind the despair that the disciples experienced when Jesus was sleeping through a storm that was big enough to sink their boat, then when his sailing companions finally went to him for help then they received the peace that they needed. They received peace and calm, is that what you need?

I remember the woman and man that were caught in adultery and the woman was thrown down at Jesus feet, they didn’t know it but that was just the place that she needed to be. Miraculously he quickly sent her accusers away without a confrontation and then he offered forgiveness, maybe that is what you need today.

Think about how many people with leprosy that Jesus healed. According to my Bible dictionary leprosy was a “skin disease that eats inward to the bones, rotting the whole body piecemeal" what a terrible way to die. Jesus touched these people and offered them hope by cleansing their bodies and bringing healing to them. Do you need a new body today?

Do you need hope, then renew your hope from the only source of hope. The psalmist said “I would have despaired and perished unless your laws had been my deepest delight.” The Lord will renew your hope when you look to his word (Psalms 119:92).

As much trouble as David saw and yet he was still able to say in Psalm 16 “You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of your own eternal presence.”

How awesome! Despite our circumstances God will give us joy! But wait the best is yet to come because after my time on this planet is over then I will forever enjoy the “exquisite pleasures” of being in God’s presence.

APPLICATION

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Help me to remember that my time here is short and I will then be in the pleasure of your presence.

PRAYER

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Jesus make me an encouragement to my wife and others that need to be lifted up.