(I John 2:24) “As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.â€
When storms of life bombard you all at once and what it seems in every direction, then it is time to look away from all the trouble and start looking back at God again. He is bigger than us and bigger than all of our trouble. (I John 4:4) “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.†It is time to look away from the trouble and look back to God and His promises found in His Word. Put your eyes back on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-3) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.â€
A couple of days ago I was having some difficulty formatting the pages of a new book. I was doing everything right, or so I thought and yet the pages seem to have a mind of their own and were not cooperating. I was getting so frustrated! I had to walk away from it. Then I heard a voice, “Go back to the beginning.†I knew what that meant, clear all the formats and reformat it and this time not in such a hurry to do it. It worked and I learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes when life is hitting so hard that you just want to curl up in a corner and cry, that is when you need to go back to the beginning. Go back to when you first received Jesus and remember why you asked Him into your heart. Remember the words you spoke, remember what He delivered you from and what He has brought you through since then. (I Chronicles 16:8-14) “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced, you His servants, the descendants of Israel, His chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth.â€
Keep a journal of “remembrances†for those times when life hits. When they do you can take it out and remind yourself that “God loves me†and “He will not fail or forsake me.†(Romans 8:31) “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?†If God is for you, and the cross proves that, then there is nothing in this world that will be able to destroy you. (Psalm 60:12) “With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.â€
Then start praising Him! Your victory is wrapped up in your praise; not in complaining, doubt and unbelief! Satan will not stick around and praise God with you! Raise and praise it keeps the devil away!
(Psalm 67) “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us— so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You. The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear Him.â€
