Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:1)
Beautiful One, when we are faced with certain difficulties or our faith is on trial, it is hard to remain focused on the victory. Especially when we are surrounded with defeat. It is not necessarily that we aren't keeping our focus on God. Sometimes we are totally focused on him, but in a fearful way. Thus we are propelled into an arduous battle where we no longer trust our situation nor the outcome to God, but we begin to trust others or ourselves.
What situation has caused your voice to be silent? What lie formed against you have you accepted as truth? And, what truth do you need to hear to help you break free?
Sometimes we need to be reminded that there is nothing new under the sun. We might feel like our troubles are unique, but oftentimes they are not, they are just unique to us. Let us take a moment and listen to the witnesses that have been right where we are at, let us listen to the songs of the redeemed......
Father let this bitter cup pass from me nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. (Jesus) If you had been here Lord, my brother would not have perished, yet his death will be for the Glory of God. (Mary)
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, yet HE knows the way that I take, (Job)
While my brother's were plotting and despising, I laid in a pit crying . (Joseph)
Lord not me, NO, I will never thee, yet when the hour came, I wouldn't even mention his name. (Peter)
Here is the One in whose shoes I'm not worthy to carry, but..... then again, is He the One, or should I look for another? (John the Baptist)
Trouble surrounds me on every side, But you Lord are my shield, my fortress in times of trouble. (David)
By divine might I gave the prophets of Baal a deadly swipe, yet upon hearing Jezebel's hype, I hid myself clean out of sight...(Elijah)
Deemed a man after Gods own heart, my uncontrolled lusts gave Samuel's heart a disgust. (David)
Let my people go was the order of the day, yet smashing my rod against the stone, made the Promised Land look the other way. (Moses)*
Believing God before seeing his promise cloaked me in righteousness, yet taking another woman as my wife, added numerous years filled with pain and unnecessary strife. (Abraham)
Beautiful One, can you relate? What lyrics are playing in your song? Sometimes we need to be reminded of what others before us have endured. They were no different than you and me. The only differences may be that they were in a different time and place. Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us be mindful that none of them had access to the multitude of modern conveniences we enjoy.
But...they all made it to the other side of their hardship. They all endured and pressed on. They didn't handle everything perfectly. They had their moments of fears, tears, and doubts, but they all shared one thing in common; they believed in the impossible.
They believed GOD.
Beautiful One, the song of the redeemed is victorious at all times, but that just doesn't make sense.
Victory comes not just with the breakthrough. Victory comes when we can praise God for the problems during the battle. Yes, with tear-stained faces, on our knees, crying out in fear, doubt, and unbelief even.
The song of the redeemed is filled with laughter and shouts of joy, and with pain, sorrow, and grief. We are the redeemed and our lives sing everyday. Everyday we are strong and weak, faithful and fearful, kind and ungrateful, loving and gentle, yet harsh and unforgiving. Everyday we sing, and the victory comes, when no matter what we have succeeded at or failed in, we get back up and try again.
No matter what you are going through, no matter what you feel like or how it looks... remember the Lord your God. He shall make a way where there appears to be no path.
He will part your waters, He will defend you, He will provide for you, He will fight your battles, He will forgive your sin, He will heal your land and He will repay what the enemy has stolen. God will redeem every tear you have cried, for He has kept careful record and holds them in his vile.
God will shine light on your tomorrow and now that you know this, go ahead and smile.....
Beautiful One, just believe. You are the redeemed.
Beautiful One, when we are faced with certain difficulties or our faith is on trial, it is hard to remain focused on the victory. Especially when we are surrounded with defeat. It is not necessarily that we aren't keeping our focus on God. Sometimes we are totally focused on him, but in a fearful way. Thus we are propelled into an arduous battle where we no longer trust our situation nor the outcome to God, but we begin to trust others or ourselves.
What situation has caused your voice to be silent? What lie formed against you have you accepted as truth? And, what truth do you need to hear to help you break free?
Sometimes we need to be reminded that there is nothing new under the sun. We might feel like our troubles are unique, but oftentimes they are not, they are just unique to us. Let us take a moment and listen to the witnesses that have been right where we are at, let us listen to the songs of the redeemed......
Father let this bitter cup pass from me nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. (Jesus) If you had been here Lord, my brother would not have perished, yet his death will be for the Glory of God. (Mary)
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, yet HE knows the way that I take, (Job)
While my brother's were plotting and despising, I laid in a pit crying . (Joseph)
Lord not me, NO, I will never thee, yet when the hour came, I wouldn't even mention his name. (Peter)
Here is the One in whose shoes I'm not worthy to carry, but..... then again, is He the One, or should I look for another? (John the Baptist)
Trouble surrounds me on every side, But you Lord are my shield, my fortress in times of trouble. (David)
By divine might I gave the prophets of Baal a deadly swipe, yet upon hearing Jezebel's hype, I hid myself clean out of sight...(Elijah)
Deemed a man after Gods own heart, my uncontrolled lusts gave Samuel's heart a disgust. (David)
Let my people go was the order of the day, yet smashing my rod against the stone, made the Promised Land look the other way. (Moses)*
Believing God before seeing his promise cloaked me in righteousness, yet taking another woman as my wife, added numerous years filled with pain and unnecessary strife. (Abraham)
Beautiful One, can you relate? What lyrics are playing in your song? Sometimes we need to be reminded of what others before us have endured. They were no different than you and me. The only differences may be that they were in a different time and place. Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us be mindful that none of them had access to the multitude of modern conveniences we enjoy.
But...they all made it to the other side of their hardship. They all endured and pressed on. They didn't handle everything perfectly. They had their moments of fears, tears, and doubts, but they all shared one thing in common; they believed in the impossible.
They believed GOD.
Beautiful One, the song of the redeemed is victorious at all times, but that just doesn't make sense.
Victory comes not just with the breakthrough. Victory comes when we can praise God for the problems during the battle. Yes, with tear-stained faces, on our knees, crying out in fear, doubt, and unbelief even.
The song of the redeemed is filled with laughter and shouts of joy, and with pain, sorrow, and grief. We are the redeemed and our lives sing everyday. Everyday we are strong and weak, faithful and fearful, kind and ungrateful, loving and gentle, yet harsh and unforgiving. Everyday we sing, and the victory comes, when no matter what we have succeeded at or failed in, we get back up and try again.
No matter what you are going through, no matter what you feel like or how it looks... remember the Lord your God. He shall make a way where there appears to be no path.
He will part your waters, He will defend you, He will provide for you, He will fight your battles, He will forgive your sin, He will heal your land and He will repay what the enemy has stolen. God will redeem every tear you have cried, for He has kept careful record and holds them in his vile.
God will shine light on your tomorrow and now that you know this, go ahead and smile.....
Beautiful One, just believe. You are the redeemed.
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