Sacrifice Of PraiseSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: To relish perfect blessings in our every day life, we must praise Him with all our heart. We must go ahead with praising our glorious Lord even while passing through pain, adversity and loss. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." (Psalm 50:15)
To relish God's gift of perfect blessings in our heart and in our every day life, we must praise Him whole-heartedly. It is quite easy and normal to praise Him just when we receive His blessings. But we must go ahead with praising our glorious Lord even while passing through pain, adversity and loss.
Even when St.Paul and Silas on account of their ministry were beaten and put in the inner prison, with their feet fastened in the stocks they 'were praying and singing hymns to God' (Acts 16:25) at midnight. The Lord heeding their songs of praise, sung to His glory, in the midst of the torturous situation, sent His angel and released them out of distress, miraculously.
Several years ago, we were in a hunt for a permanent building to install the 'Jesus Calls' office; after three years of persistent search, we found one. But the cost was astronomical; but we believed, we could settle the venture, through faith. The deadline date for payment was approaching. But there seemed no possibility of the money coming from any source. We were totally perplexed. We praised our Lord with tears, praying together as a family. During that delicate period, all of a sudden, a friend visited us. Becoming aware of our situation, he promised to try for a loan from a Bank. While we were in a tight-corner, the Lord had sent him, as His angel; the same Lord blessed this friend's efforts and granted His grace to us, making it possible for us to purchase that building through a loan, to house the 'Jesus Calls' Ministry. How nice it is to see the structure, now, fulfilling the Lord's ministry splendidly and effectively.
My dear friend, we should not be found wanting in continuously praising the Lord in all kinds of situations, times of pleasantness and of disturbing distress, times when we receive good things and when we encounter adversities at all sundry times. As a consequence, our spiritual life will go on growing to fullness, with His grace.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I believe that there is nothing impossible for You. Help me to praise You even when I undergo problems in my life. Grant me Your grace to overcome the discouragements that this world often brings in my life. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |