If you are walking
through the valley of the shadow of death, all I can say to you today is hang
on. The psalmist makes a statement that says, "Though darkness is all around, I will fear no evil" (see
Ps. 23:4).
My heart breaks for my
brothers and sisters in Christ who are under persecution, for those who are in
abusive relationships, for children who are growing up without loving parents
to guide them and instill in them an assurance of being loved. There are those
who conspire to tear down our sense of worth and potential. They would have us
live with a spirit of fear, intimidation, depression and oppression.
That's why it is critical
to remember the finished work of the cross when evil tries to press in on every
side. Whatever situation you find yourself in, know this: God is present.
Worship Him—recognizing
and acknowledging His greatness—even in moments of great pain, and you will
discover His grace and power is sufficient: "Three
different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace
is all you need. My power works best in weakness'" (2 Cor. 12:8-9,
NLT).
When you are in the pit
of suffering, there is only one direction you can go: up. Look up. Look for
God. Look for your Redeemer. We know that's what Joseph did when he told his
brothers why he forgave them (after testing their character): "You intended to harm me, but God intended
it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of
many people" (Gen. 50:20).
He saw God's hand at work
in his life. He never doubted God's love for him. He knew that even if he had
lost his lovely multicolored coat, the sign of his earthly father's favor, he
was favored by God—his heavenly Father—and that he still had a part in God's
plan to save His people. Like Esther, he knew he was born for this moment and
had an eternal destiny.
To rediscover these words
in Galatians was a real strength to me: "But
the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within
accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper,
forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness
(meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such
things there is no law [that can bring a charge]" (Gal. 5:22-23, AMP).
Mark and I have come
through the hardest year of our lives. My life has not been without challenges,
beginning in childhood, but honestly, I have felt so protected in my days and
years. Breast cancer was a new level of deep suffering.
My theology was put
through a sieve, and I had to lean into every Scripture I knew to be true about
God's providence, and that it was not His desire that I or my family should
suffer. To see His kids in pain hurts Him too.
To fully trust God during
times of immense pain is one of the great gifts of a trial. You find the
beautiful Holy Spirit is there, no matter how broken you are or how disappointed
you are or how hopeless you feel.
The stance of worship is
made possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit. We worship Him in our
moments of success. But we also worship Him in suffering, when we are in the
wilderness.
Are you suffering? In
pain? Discover God's grace in worship. Be honest, but listen. Look up. Take to
heart Paul's words: "No, despite all
these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us"
(Rom. 8:37).
Would you want to have a
deeper relationship with God?
God has made it possible
for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in
your own life by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following
prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and
my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past
sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid
sinning again.
I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died
for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my
life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank You that
according to your Word, I am now born again.
Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me
obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life.
Please use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“Best For Me” Darlene Zschech
lyrics
There's no one like Jesus
There's no one like Jesus
Rescued me from darkness
Fill my life with gladness
Carrying my burdens
Peace in every battle
There's no one like Jesus
Calm in every storm
You walk with me through suffering
You will not let me go
Your presence overwhelms my heart
Lord there's no one like You
There's no one like Jesus
There's no one like Jesus
Strength in times of weakness
Joyful in Your presence
You meet me in my sadness
Walk with me through fire
There's no one like Jesus
Calm in every storm
You won it all at Calvary
The saving grace of God
I'll never be the same again
Lord there's no one like You
The heavens are open over me
Your glory is like the sun
And nothing can separate me
From Your love
There's no one like Jesus
Rescued me from darkness
Fill my life with gladness
Carrying my burdens
Peace in every battle
There's no one like Jesus
Calm in every storm
You walk with me through suffering
You will not let me go
Your presence overwhelms my heart
Lord there's no one like You
There's no one like Jesus
There's no one like Jesus
Strength in times of weakness
Joyful in Your presence
You meet me in my sadness
Walk with me through fire
There's no one like Jesus
Calm in every storm
You won it all at Calvary
The saving grace of God
I'll never be the same again
Lord there's no one like You
The heavens are open over me
Your glory is like the sun
And nothing can separate me
From Your love
Darlene Zschech is
the author of Worship Changes Everything: Experiencing God's Presence in Every
Moment of Life. She and her husband,
Mark, are pastors of Hope Unlimited Church, a multisite congregation in New
South Wales, Australia. A singer, songwriter and worship leader, Zschech is
perhaps most famous for the song "Shout to the Lord."
http://www.charismamag.com/life/women/25765-how-worship-leader-darlene-zschech-walked-through-cancer
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