Praise God in that situation – Part 1

Psalm 69:2-4 says, “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”

Job 1:3-20 states, “His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,”

From the biblical chapters and verses above, one could deduce that the situation of the Psalmist was similar to that of Job. The Scripture said both men had the fear of God, and at one time had peace in life, but afterwards, experienced sudden sorrow and they lamented over their individual situation, when overwhelmed by challenges. The two narratives were meant to instil in our consciousness the fact that Children of God are not exempted from difficulties and challenges. As long as believers are still in the world, they shall at one point in their life suffer sudden persecution or experience difficulty. However, no matter what the ugly experience may be, God has made provision for their deliverance, if they remain steadfast in faith.

Nothing works against a believer to destroy him. Rather, all things work together for good to them that love God, and those that work according to His purpose. If God allows anything that seems to work against you, my friend, it is working for your good. Whatever God allows in your life is allowed to bring out the best of you.

I don’t know what you are going through and maybe you are wondering if God has abandoned you. I want to let you know that God’s love for you is unchanging. Remember that nothing shall separate you from the love of God. Affliction, trials, persecution and hunger cannot separate you from God’s love. The love of Christ is like Himself, steadfast, unchangeable and everlasting. The Scripture says we were created for His pleasure. I don’t know what you are going through, but I assure you that God’s love shall be revealed in your life, regardless of the ugly situation around you, such as, persecution, intimidation or whatever that may have befallen you. My counselling is that in the midst of that trouble, there is nothing to worry about. For I know the God we serve, He will never forsake His people.

If you feel like the whole world is turning against you, my counselling is that you shouldn’t worry, as God is the ruler of the physical and spiritual, nothing is hidden from Him. Just ensure you have a good relationship with Him. Do not murmur, complain or cry, because if you think murmuring or complaining is the panacea to your problem, then, you have deceived yourself, for it will lead you to nowhere. If God did not allow that situation, it will not happen and if He allows it, it is to His glory and for your good.

The God we serve is the Almighty, the all Powerful and the Creator of all things. And there is nothing too hard for Him to do. Therefore, there is no point crying or being sorrowful. The only thing you need to do is to do what is right, and you are going to have remedy.

Testifiers sharing the goodness of God during Hope For The Needy crusade at the Church headquarters in Lagos.

Genesis 17:1 says, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

God declared Himself as the Almighty God, and He is not short of that declaration. He is mighty in all things — mighty to save, mighty in battle, mighty to do all things. So, there is nothing to worry about, as He is equal to the task. No matter who is behind your problems, whether the devil or demons or human agents, our God is able to deliver those who put their trust in Him.

Psalm 62:11 says, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”

God is the embodiment and source of power. If you can see power walking, that is God. He is full of power. No matter what you are going through, I want to let you know that God’s power is able to defeat your enemies, because power belongs to Him. So, in your problems or trials, no matter what you are going through, remember that power to deliver belongs unto God.

Psalm 103:1-5 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Undoubtedly, God has done many things for you. He is still the same yesterday, today and forever. No matter what you are passing through, He Who gave you salvation, delivered you from trouble, healed you from diseases, preserves and sustains you till date is still able to do everything for you. So, there is no need to cry, weep, complain or panic. Just ponder what He has done before and remember that there is nothing too hard for Him to do.

Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

Is there anything too hard for God to do? Beloved, nothing is hard for Him, as our God is equal to the task. With Him, all things are possible. If God be for us, who can be against us? If this God that made heaven and earth, Who governs the universe and dictates what will or will not happen in every situation and circumstance, tell me who can be against you? My brother/sister, no matter what you are passing through, God is able to deliver you. He will answer you in time of trials, in time of temptations, in time of sorrows and in time of persecution, if you form the habit of giving Him praises always, no matter what you are going through or what you are passing through. If you can start praising Him today, He will appear and you shall have victory in Jesus name. So, I don’t know what your problem is, but I am sure if you decide and start praising Him today, He will see you through and do wonders in your life.

Psalm 2:1-4 says, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

The love of God for His people has stirred up envy and jealousy among the heathen. And they have resorted to attacking believers from all corners. So, when they rise against you, I want to let you know that God that sits in heaven is on your side. If you are experiencing trials, affliction or persecution, don’t worry because the One behind you is not sleeping. He shall do wonders and your enemies shall be defeated in Jesus name.

Romans 8:28, 35 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

Beloved, neither outward troubles, nor inward distress can separate you from the love of Christ. Therefore, acknowledge this love, by always giving Him praises in any situation, no matter how ugly that situation may be, because neither of them alone, nor all together, can unclasp the arms of divine love, in which you are safely wrapped.