Pray… I exalt You, O Lord, for You have redeemed me and refused the enemy his victory. O Lord my God, my heart cries out to You for You alone can heal me. You alone can bring my soul up from the depths of anxiousness and doubt and set my mind back on You. In You I have eternal life. Because of Your sacrifice, I need never be cast out with those who practice lawlessness and sin. Sing praise to the Lord, O my soul! Give thanks at the mention of His holy name, for His anger is but for a moment and his favor toward you is for a lifetime! Though you may weep through the night, the joy of His presence dawns upon you oh-so-new every morning!
Times of prosperity lead men to boast they shall forever be faithful. They say, “Through Your favor, O Lord, our fortresses will forever stand strong.” But when Your hand of blessing withdraws, Your face seems hidden, and a season for endurance is at hand, they retreat and become fearful. Let me not be like them, but rather let me endure, crying out to You and offering up thanksgiving. For what does it profit a man to gain the world yet forfeit his soul? If You do not strengthen and revive me, O Lord, who will offer praise? If Your people are not forgiven and redeemed, who will declare Your truth? And so, hear O God and have mercy on me, for I stumble at times along the way. Lord Jesus, be my comfort, turning my mourning into dancing and my darkness into light once more. You alone can wipe away the stain of my shame. You alone clothe me with gladness, that others may look on and bring You praise, and my legacy may be one of bearing fruit for Your kingdom. O Lord my God, let me praise Your name and give thanks to You both in season and out!
Consider…“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you.” When we become dismayed amidst our various trials, and stumble under the burden, we cannot help but feel that we frustrate, sadden, and perhaps even anger God. For a season it is good to allow such realizations to chastise our flesh but if we remain in this condition for too long, we could forget His anger is but for a moment and His favor is for a lifetime. This could open the door for our enemy to convince us we live under wrath and not grace. This view is a reflection of our emotions and not the truth concerning God’s character. When dealing with us God lives by His own words: “Be angry but do not sin, and do not let the sun go down on your anger.” We need to live by these words also, and never let our temporary anger towards anyone to become sin. If we will but receive grace, and yet remain steadfast and immovable as we continue on in work in the kingdom of heaven on earth, He will put off our sorrow, clothe us with gladness, and loose the chains of doubt and depression that seek to drag us down. Though our weeping may endure for a night, our joy will indeed come in the morning!
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