Mishaps, trials and tribulations seem to be a natural and consistent part of life. Things.... just happen in life. Sometimes we suffer the consequences of the things that we have done. Sometimes the devil, who is our enemy sets traps for us to fall into. The good news is that whatever the reason for our trial, God causes "All things to work together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His good purpose".
Sometimes when we are at the beginning of a trial we can't see how it might actually be beneficial to us one day. All we see is the pain, inconvenience, trouble, and source of loss. It isn't until later when we see that if we hadn't gone through the fire, we wouldn't have the strength and fortitude to move forward under any circumstance; always keeping before us the knowledge that we are victorious. ("We always triumph in Christ")
The trials are actually good at teaching us faith. How could kidnapped Africans have ever known what would be in store for them in the new America? Nothing but faith could have sustained them through the torture, and death that they endured. The darkness was great. Oh, how much greater was the light that shone through and shamed a nation into freeing slaves, and standing up to its own words that "all men are created equal". The country was changed, the laws gradually changed, African Americans forged ahead making stride after stride against a seemingly unmovable force. Today we have a president who is representative of all of us. His family is truly multi-cultural. He is African American. Only God could have changed the hearts of man, and therefore the greatest country in the world. The sacrifice was great and so was the reward.
"Sing a song, full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, sing a song, full of the hope that the present has brought us!" (verse from "Lift Every Voice and Sing" written by James Weldon Johnson).
A country founded on the principles of Christianity stands as a light in a dark and lost world. God could not let a country founded on his name become one that denied His principles, and caused the world to turn its back on Him. He is love; agape love. He extends mercy, grace, and forgiveness to everyone. He requires repentance. "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, then I will hear their prayers from heaven, and heal their land"). Our country is built on those principles. It is built on the character of Jesus, the Christ. Such a country couldn't condone Jim Crow laws, sundown towns, segregation, gender bias, and the murder of innocent people based on an unjust law. No matter who we are, we are at one time or another taken captive and made to be a slave to something. Whether it is to shopping, eating, drinking, lying, sex, or any number of other things, we have become a captive and are abusive to our own minds and bodies. All we need to remember is that help is a whispered prayer away. Sometimes the best prayer we can utter is HELP!!
(song) "We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, we have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, out of the gloomy past Till now we stand at last, under the gleam where our bright star is cast." The verse from this poem/song was written by James Weldon Johnson.
Scripture tells us to rejoice in the Lord, Always rejoice. We don't have to rejoice that we are in the midst of a trial; we rejoice that we aren't in the trial alone. We rejoice because we will come out victorious. We are told to "Go boldly to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy in our time of need". We are told that "We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us". We are told that "We always triumph in Christ", and we are told that "if we say unto the mountain be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea", and if we believe and don't doubt, then no matter how big our trial is, it shall be moved.
Heavenly Father, we sometimes have trials and tribulations. Sometimes they are light, but sometimes they are almost too much to bear. We thank you that we do not go through them alone. You, dear Lord are always there with us, and though we may not understand, we can rest assured that You will have your way. We know, dear Lord, that if you have your way, we will be all the better for it. You are our alpha and omega- our beginning and our end. You have made a way for us out of no way. You are our all in all. When we cry out to you, you hear us. You are quick to answer, even if we are not quick to hear. Help us to be satisfied with what you say to us, knowing that you have our best interest at heart. Truly, Lord if we can trust an airplane pilot, whom we do not often see, and whom we rarely ever know, then Lord, we can trust You. Your track record is 100%. Your promises are true, and your word is unblemished. You are, who you say you are. You do what you say you will do. Help us not to stray from your side. Help us through our trials. Help us to cross our red sea and reach the other side unscathed. May our feet never take us away from where You are. May our minds never get clouded with the wants and fears of the world, such that we forget, even for a moment who you are. May our hands never become so busy, that they lose their purpose. May our hearts never faint, but always be full of faith. Draw us near to you, Oh Lord, and keep us at Your chest. Whisper in our ear oh Lord, and cause us to hear. Help us then, oh Lord, that we may not be hearers of the word only, but help us to be doers of your word. Help us to be workers who are not afraid. Help us to boldly proclaim your presence in our lives. Help us that we may always and forever be seekers of Your truth, knowing that if we look for you, we will find you. Save us from our own insecurities oh most Holy God and lead us to your pathways of peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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