– Praise God In Our Valley Moments
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Corinthians 1, 2:1-11 and Psalm 149 (NIV)
(Monica Yan, Coordinator, CEM)
READ:
Reading through 2 Corinthians 1, 2:1-11 and Psalm 149; the verses that stood out for me were chapter 1 verses 3, 4 & 10 as well as Psalm 149 v6.
OBSERVE:
Apostle Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth opens with words of praise despite what Paul is going through or has been through.
v 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Paul finds comfort in God and he acknowledges God’s compassion and His comforting presence is sufficient for him to overcome difficult times and comfort others who are going through the same. He is also confident of God’s promise of deliverance as seen in verse 10 – He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us
Words from Paul’s letter reflect his confidence in God’s deliverance and leaning onto the leading of the Holy Spirit in his work plans and not by the schedule of men.
Psalm 149 is a psalm of praise to our God who is our Maker and our Deliverer; and that He delights in the praises of his people. In verse 6 – May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,
When we praise God, we focus on the goodness and power of God; His word is able to bring wisdom which helps us to discern and guides us.
APPLY:
It is easy to give thanks and praise God in our moments of joy and success; shouting Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! In comparison, praising God during painful and challenging times is unnatural for me. I take comfort in knowing that God is with me in my difficult moments. These learning moments will not go to waste as they will help me grow in my walk with God, to lean upon Him and not by my own strength. Such experiences will also help me to better empathise with others who are going through similar situations.
Our God is a faithful God and He has always delivered me, even when all seem hopeless.
DO:
Trust that God is in control.
Praise God in all circumstances, giving Him thanks and praise for all small and big experiences.
Be Mindful of Learning Opportunities in all situations.
PRAY:
Loving and almighty Father in heaven, thank you for your sweet promise that you will be with me in all situations. Knowing that you are in control when situations seem hopeless, gives me strength and courage. Father, as you stretch me with each challenge, grant me the wisdom to learn and discern your will. Let me not lean on my own understanding but to be still and wait upon you. For indeed, there’s strength and much wisdom in waiting upon you.
I am grateful for each difficult moment that you have delivered me from. Help me be generous in helping and comforting others; let me not forget your goodness is to be shared with those around me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.
