Go Forward in FaithSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: When we pass through the valley of tears and darkness, let us remember all the goodness that the Lord has done for us and give Him thanks and praise. Let us seek His guidance during times of troubles. He will fight for us and show us His salvation. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years" (Luke 1:18). He did not believe the words of the angel because he was only looking back to his past experiences in life. The angel said to him, "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time" (Luke 1:20). Accordingly Zechariah became dumb.
In the 20th chapter of 2 Chronicles, we read about a King named Jehoshaphat of Judah, who loved and trusted the Lord. Once, he was in great peril. The people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir rose against him and came to overthrow him. Jehoshapat fasted and prayed to the Lord and implored His help. The Lord intervened at once. He told King Jehoshapat and his subjects, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you" (2 Chronicles 20:15,17). The people believed what the Lord had said to them and went forth in full faith and trust. Even before God's promise was fulfilled, they began to praise the Lord before their enemies and the Lord granted them a great victory against their enemies on that day.
There was a family of elderly members who accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Saviour. Suddenly, the mother lost her senses. With utmost grief her husband admitted her in the hospital and went to the local church and sat weeping at the feet of the Lord. A man of God who came there, seeing him weeping asked him the reason for his tears. The agonized husband told him what had happened to his beloved wife. The man of God then gave him a very strange bit of advice. "Dear friend, please recall all the goodness that the Lord has done for you and praise Him for each of His blessings." Even in the midst of his agony, the man accepted the advice of the preacher and began to praise God. As he began to praise, the presence of the Lord filled him. A strong faith welled up in his heart. In the strength of that faith he ran to his wife, took her hands and said to her under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, "Arise, Jesus heals you right now." His wife then jumped to her feet and received perfect health and strength.
Dear friend, When we praise the Lord with faith and trust in Him, unmindful of the heavy odds, His presence fills us. Faith working through love alone avails (Galatians 5:6). When this faith fills our lives and hearts, we receive miracles even without our knowledge. Let us examine ourselves. Let us cast away our sinful past which tries to separate us from the gracious Lord and discard all hurtful words and obsolete tenets from our minds and lives and draw closer to Him. Ignoring all perils and problems that may surround us, let us recall all His goodness and with full faith, thank and praise His Most Holy name. He will grant us victory in all our undertakings. Let not your heart be troubled!
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Grant me Your divine grace to overcome all trials and tribulations, which try to destroy me. I now remember all the goodness that You have done for me and give You thanks and praise. Help me to seek Your divine counsel before I start my undertakings. Help me to grow steadfast in love, hope, trust and faith. In Jesus' mighty name, I ask.
Amen. |