difficulties Archives - Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions

I love that word “through.” It means moving into one side and out the other. There are about 800 occurrences of the word “through” in the Scriptures. One occurrence popped up in my daily verse the other morning—a most familiar one out of Isaiah 43.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.” [Isaiah 43:1b-2 HCSB]

Isaiah 43 is a chapter on the restoration of Israel, and this is God’s Promise to them. But, as God’s children, as those who are saved by His grace and called by His name (Christians), we too can claim the promise that God will take us “through.”

He will take us “through” the waters, and “through” the rivers and we will not be overwhelmed. He will make us to walk “through” the fire and we will not be scorched.

As much as we want Him to remove trials and tribulations and difficulties “from” us; I have found that I become much closer to my wonderful Father when He take me “through” rather than “out of” such things.

Somehow, I grow more, my heart becomes stronger, my spirit drives deeper into grace when I must depend upon God daily in the midst of a trial. Would I prefer to avoid difficulties, certainly! But life does not always abide with my preferences.

In the midst of those difficult times, I remember that God has ALWAYS brought me “through.” As He has done so in the past, He will do so now.

Praise His Holy Name. Amen!

I think I have come to the end of the “let us” devotions, at least for present. It is one that I consider the most vital of all. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” [Heb 13:15-16]

The cross of our LORD Christ Jesus reaches two ways, it reaches up and it reaches out. The writer to Hebrews reminds us of that. He reminds us that our Christian duty is to both God and to people.

We are to remember to do good and to share with whom we walk through this life. We share our lives with others, our encouragement, our finances when we can, our time (the most precious of all our commodities), our love. It is our responsibility and our privilege to also share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Christ.

Perhaps as great a responsibility and privilege – and one that is sometimes harder during difficult times in life — is that we are to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

Interesting that the author calls praise a sacrifice. When things are difficult, circumstances dire, or problems arise, praising God is a sacrifice. It is our offering to Him remembering all He has done for us. Difficulties, circumstances, and problems are not eternal (they only seem that way). One day they will be gone, and we will be with the LORD where nothing like that will ever arise again.

Beloved, we cannot wait until we get in His presence to praise Him, we need to do it now amid the trying times. Offering a sacrifice of praise takes our focus off the problems and puts it on the King of kings. It demonstrates to God and this world that we are a people who trust in the LORD not just when it is easy, but when it is most difficult.

If you genuinely want to feel God’s pleasure, praise Him with your words today – and with your life. Amen.

difficulties

Through

Feeling His Pleasure