Title: Do You Know How to Have Joy in the Season of Trials and Trouble?
Text:
Psalm 107:21-22 (ESV)
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!
Observation:
I have a difficult time getting my mind around the concept of having joy in the midst of my trials and troubles.
A light came on for me with an illustration that my pastor used in making a different point in his sermon this week. This is my version of the illustration. A scientist and a saint were walking through life; the scientist walked by facts, and the saint walked by faith. The scientist was successful walking his way, and the saint was successful walking his way.
But, they came to a river of trouble; a Red Sea type of problem. Let me paint for you what they were facing. I will do this through a verse of a song sung by those who walked by faith. It was there offering of the sacrifice of thanksgiving for what the Lord did for them in their season of trouble.
Psalm 136:13-15 (ESV)
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
When facts are not enough; faith in God will see you through a river of trials and trouble. In whatever you face, you can always rejoice in the Lord. When the scientist has no answers; God is a present help in the time of trouble; nothing is too difficult for Him. Get in the praise mode; offer up to God your sacrifice of thanksgiving, and get ready for your deliverance. Don't you know, by faith, God is able?
Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Prayer:
Father God, I am so glad that I may not be able to rejoice in my trials and trouble, but I can always rejoice in the Lord, the God of my salvation. Father, I trust You with my whole heart. Father, I offer up to You my sacrifice of thanksgiving. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
For nothing will be impossible with God."
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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