In two Old Testament books - perhaps more than most of the others - we are told, over and over, about the glory of God: Isaiah and Psalms. Psalm 34 is a typical psalm of praise: I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. But the inheritance to which Peter refers can never perish, spoil, or fade and God is protecting it for us. Its only the broken whom he can pour his precious grace through to minister to others. Chapter 69. Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me. 14 Dressed only in a linen ephod, he began to dance before the LORD with great enthusiasm. When Paul describes what sin is, he says - when we sin, we fall short of the glory of God; one translation says, we fail to glorify God --- Rom. It brings joy because it is in the midst of the trial that we see Christ and know him more. The psalm itself could be split into three sections. The Bible says that David was a man after God's own heart. When shall I come and appear before God? We must develop an eternal perspective. I feel like Peter is doing that herehe brings us back to the gospel; he brings us back to our salvation. In Psalms, statements like this: The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. my - Mine. This is really happening. We see the man Job, memorialized in Scripture for his faithfulness in going through trials. Listen to what Hebrews says: No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Why is that? It awakens your spiritual self to view a heavenly perspective. Confession of God's Promises - The basis of our authority in prayer is the word of God. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Rev 3:20). How can we live this type of Christian life in the various multicolored trials we go through? What was David's reaction to all of his troubles? "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours." Gold is valuable in part because of how long it lasts, but gold will eventually fade and corrupt, unlike true faith. Ephesians 1:3 says we have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. One of the reasons we can rejoice in trials is because it proves the genuiness of our faith. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They . Many people have experienced this in the midst of trials. David in writing the Psalms expresses many praises to the Lord. David goes on to say that God is "enthroned on the praises of Israel."In other words, God has been praised by his people through the years, because he has been faithful to them and always sustained them. Application Question: What are common responses to suffering? Scripture commands us to think on godly things. Listen to what Paul says: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Our Father knows whats best as well. God has complete independence in the exercise of His authority. In the midst of pain, God creates a reservoir in you. In this study, we will see six secrets to having joy in the midst of trials. Psalm 37:3. You, God, are my God, This reservoir allows you to go deeper than you have before. When we pray God's promises back to Him and declare the beauty of His character as revealed in the Scriptures we align ourselves with . We cannot contain our adoration for Him! Psalm 63 states his praise to God as King David goes through true hardship and heartbreak. Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. They have lost it, and instead, are loving other things more than Christ. Application Question: What things keep you from developing this eternal view point in the midst of your trials? 12 Things to Thank God for in the Midst of Your Affliction 1) That God is sovereign and in complete control of the intensity and the duration of your affliction. Gold can be passed from generation to generation. So amid cheers and to the sound of ram's horns, David and all the people of Israel carried the ark of the LORD. In the same way, believers must have the right focus in order to have joy in their multicolored trials. The drama intensifies. With this new birth, we receive an inheritance in heaven (v. 4). The expression in the Old Testament that indicates God's blessing on a person is to say that God's face would shine on them. Simon Peter was privileged to see Jesus transfigured and he later wrote about it with these words: "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty," (2 Pet. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me, Psalm 56:1,2,9 To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. I stand at the door and knock. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away (emphasis mine).Matthew 13:2021. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. It is this loving relationship with Christ that allows us to endure and have joy in trial or tribulation. Find, read and study the passages in the Bible where men and women prayed. When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Amalekites would kill children, the elderly, and those who were tiredly straggling behind. As we look at Scripture, we see that Peter is not the only writer who teaches this apparent paradox. Go back to your first love. He teaches you how to be able to feel others heartaches. DAVID ASCRIBES TO THE FATHER THE FOLLOWING: Greatness. We should rejoice in all the benefits of our coming salvation. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me . BOOK TWO Psalms 42-72 -Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses - To the Chief Musician. It relates to my feelings and truths. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (emphasis mine).1 Peter 1:6. Matthew (164). When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.1 Corinthians 11:3032. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Heb 12:11). Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! When we speak of God - His rule, His authority and supremacy, HE ENJOYS AND EXERCISES AUTHORITY INDEPENDENT OF ANYBODY ELSE !! This is something we can rejoice in even in the midst of trials. God can help us meet all these struggles, if we will let Him influence us. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Was it a voice of complaint? Trials to our faith, are like fire to a precious metalthe fire tests the genuineness of it. It is the way of faithit is the genuine faith that is tested through the trial. We can also gain great wisdom from King David in using praise in the midst of our trouble. Who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, I will thank you forever, because you have done it. Are you in a place that feels dry and perhaps a bit hopeless? Focus on Gods sovereignty and purpose in trials. They "exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Trials have the same effect on a believers faith. Here is a question: does simply going through a trial warrant reward in heaven? Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Learn to PRAISE GOD in the midst of trouble from King David himself. This life is not just about our future career, marriage, or retirement. Listen to what the writer of Hebrews said about trials: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. In what way is this temporary? Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope, Psalm 35:1-3 A Psalm of David. God Saving From Enemies. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (emphasis mine).1 Peter 1:89. (Psalms 113:4, NIV). Wow! We see Israel going through trials in the wilderness, and God disciplined them. We are edifying one another, and reminding ourselves of the promises of the gospel. We are alive to his Word, alive to worship, alive to one another, where before we were dead in trespasses and sin (Eph 2:15). 6:46). day. He simply says they did not really belong to us. They werent really saved. They will be memorialized even as Job was. How can this bring joy? Before discipline came, David was living in sin, but after the affliction, he obeyed Gods words. Hebrews 12:12, 13 says this: Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God 7. 11 Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Mechanical instruments are not suited to this. . As he speaks of the futility and darkness and ignorance of idolatry he says they exchanged the glory of God for images made to look like man and animals (Rom. Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful. The first 21 verses are a cry to the Lord, laying out the problem that David finds . Listen to what he said: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Focus on the eternal glory; faithfulness in trials will be rewarded. This is a phenomenal concept. Is he God your Provider? David writes in Psalm 142:4b-7, no one cares for my soul. (2) We must regain our focus on Christ and the inheritance that he is bringing at his revelation. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do the things which I say?" It is harder for them to love, harder for them to forgive, or harder for them to have peace. This verse can also be translated as a command rejoice in this. The believers were suffering in all kinds of trials. Thats something we can rejoice in, even when our natural inheritance is taken away. What does Peter mean? Use these timeless Bible verses about praising God in your prayers until your heart can find its own words. Try meditating on each word in Psalm 63:1 slowly. We can focus on our inheritance and security in heaven. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Peter says it is possible for these believers to have both great joy and grief in the midst of their trials. It touches your heart to remember that God has saved you in the past with his son Jesus. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Many people are only thinking about tomorrow or focusing on the next immediate milestone: graduation, marriage or retirement, but that view is too shortsighted. Many develop strongholds and addictions by going through trials. Trials only last for a little while in comparison to our eternal salvation. Colossians 2:12 says -- "having been buried with him in baptism, and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Too many Christians fail to focus on the benefits of their salvation, and therefore, have lost joy when their inheritance on earth is affected. These would make any person proud. Big Question: What does Peter teach as secrets to joy in the midst of trials? We rejoice because trials bring a greater future glory. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:69. Genuine gold will last at high temperatures. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. If you have lost your first love, you cannot have joy in the midst of trials or in the midst of your service for Christ. Singing isn't just about music; vocal music, in this case, is just the medium. Many of us have lost our joy because we have sinned by losing the right focus. David praises the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines, and he invites others to join him in singing joyfully to the Lord. When you read Psalms, you can find so many verses about God's children singing praise even in the midst of hard times. Peter fell away and came back because he had genuine faith. Its also about the role we will play once we are there. Listen to what Christ said to the church of Ephesus in Revelations 2:2-4: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. This is a wonder. earnestly I seek you; If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer (emphasis mine).2 Corinthians 1:46. See, this person was in the church, heard the Word of God, and he responded with joy. One of the ways we can tell is by our response to trials. However, those who are not trained by it often develop strongholds. In the situation of the Corinthians, this included weakness, sickness, and even death. Peter says we have been given a new birth (v. 3) into a living hope through the resurrected Jesus Christ. In fact, James talks about a faith without works, as demonic faith. He says even the demons believe and shudder (Jas 2:19). This is how I approach it if you need some guidance to start. 1:1-4). "Save me, O God!": This psalm attributed to David is a cry of despair to the Lord when he was being afflicted by enemies that seemed to surround him at all times. Step by step he has shown how God has devised and revealed a way of putting sinners right with himself; how Christ died for our sins, and was raised for our justification; how we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection; how the Christian life is lived by walking in the Spirit not the flesh. My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,your praises all day long. God is the one who gives you faith (Ephesians 2:89), and he is the one who keeps it. The victory they enjoyed - was victory God granted to them. And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me (emphasis mine).Luke 22:19. At times there is an unhealthy form of the gospel taught in the church. He said, Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven. There is a reward given for suffering. 8:6, " the Lord gave David victory wherever he went." Look at what Paul says: That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. In the Bible, there is such a thing as parental authority, but that authority is a function of God's order for the home. We rejoice in our undefiled inheritance. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Maybe we have been in a bad marriage or dealing with a difficult boss or some type of persecution. If it melts early, it is not real. Application Question: What ways have you experienced the loss of joy in your salvation? If faith is genuine, it will last until the revelation of Christ when he comes, and it will result in praise, glory, and honor from God (v. 7). 3 who forgives all your sins. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Praise the Lord." In verse 7 he prays, "Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions." Apparently his troubles later in life dredged up the sins that he had committed in earlier years. Listen to what John said about those who were in the church but left the church of Ephesus to follow the Gnostic cults. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life (emphasis mine).Revelation 2:10. Scripture reveals that after David's first child with Bathsheba died, he . When it seems like my world is crumbling around me and I am thrown around by the storms of my life, take away my fear. Maybe that is why God touched Jacobs thigh and caused him to limp after wrestling with God and prevailing. How can we better strive to keep it? How do you respond to trials? Typically, we honor those who are successful and do great things. It was never true faith. Through godly behavior, we light the way for others. He teaches you how to better hear Gods voice in times of suffering. Eph 1:11; Rom 8:28). Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge (Ps 51:4). See, true faith, unlike gold, is imperishable. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. Faithful children of Israel would sing about this - - "Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: 'The Lord's right hand has done mighty things'." In fact, in some way, we benefit from this inheritance now. Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. A strong personality. It seems to be the same argument used by Peter, since he has just talked about our heavenly inheritance. Jesus declared that the meek would inherit the earth (Matt 5:5). Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed (emphasis mine). There is a harvest for those who have been trained by pain. I can definitely use help choosing words to praise and honor God. If Satan, who was originally an angel without a sin nature, fell into pridehow much more likely a human who was exalted to write near half of the New Testament? are - This is taking place right this minute. 20:4 .. "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." 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