Good Morning,
The Lord has been teaching us about enduring tests, trials, and many familiar struggles. We must learn how to go through and come out stronger and more mature. We have been learning that, "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but (except for the fact) the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalm 34:19) When we encounter different tests and trials we tend to forget that we have an enemy that seeks to kill, steal and destroy. He goes low and tries everything. We also often forget that the Lord has told us that we would encounter adversities, calamities, distress, grief, trouble, sorrows, displeasure, pressure, and frustration, which sums up tribulations and afflictions. We must war against him at all times with the Word of God as our sword. Since the Lord has promised that He will deliver (snatch away, defend, escape, pluck out, preserve, recover, rescue, rid of, save). You can testify yourself, that our Father God has at many times delivered you in one of the various ways, from the differing tests and trials that you have encountered, right?
Read through the Word of God and each and every time that a child of God faced something that appeared to much for them, God rescued, recovered, preserved, caused them to escape, plucked them out, defended them, snatched then away, and rid them of their enemy. Think on a few, like Daniel in the lion's den, Joseph in the pit, or prison, remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:8-27; Genesis 37:12-24; Daniel 6:10-23) How about Hannah believing for a child, Ruth and Naomi, who lost their loved ones, but received a kinsman redeemer. All of them were delivered. We always win! As long as we trust God and believe His Word, for He is watching over His Word to perform it. "Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations." Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience." (James 1:2-3) These are 'light afflictions' when compared to the glory that is about to be revealed in us. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.." (2 Corinthians 4:17) So, no matter what the afflictions are, if we believe that God will turn them around and we will experience a level of glory that we have never known heretofore. When our deliverance comes, it comes with more of God's glory being revealed in, and upon us. God's glory is weighty because it is all of His goodness. Remember that when Moses asked God to show him His glory, God's response was about His goodness. "And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And He said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." (Exodus 33:18-19) Prepare yourself to see all of God's goodness as you come through afflictions with God. For He never leaves or forsakes us. "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers (rescues, rids of, saves, plucks out, snatch from, preserves,recovers,defends, and escapes) them out of all their distress and troubles."
Love,
Pastor D.
The Message (MSG)
Daughters of Z 