Our church family and as well as our immediate family is in a challenging season to say the least. We have had a loss of loved ones in the midst of personal breakthroughs and blessings. Through the pain one feels of losing a loved one, we have also experienced an overwhelming amount of love poured over us. While we may feel a void in our lives, there is an undeniable closeness with God and His presence is palpable.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
- Psalm 34:18
I praise God because He has not left our side and continues to comfort us. I praise Him because despite the pain of losing a loved one, I know they are not gone forever, and I will be reunited with them some day. I praise God because He is true, reliable, loving, merciful, and compassionate. I will praise Him through the pain, praise Him through the depression, praise Him through the darkness, praise Him through the doubt, and praise Him through the circumstance I find myself in.
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
- Acts 16:22-34
Paul and Silas praised God despite their circumstances. The unjust beating, they received did not change their perception of God. God was still just, loving, providing, comforting, merciful, and abounding in grace. They did not praise God to take the pain away, heal them or set them free. They praised God for who and what He was in their life—everything! They praised God and ushered His presence into the dark and hopeless environment of that prison. The presence of God cannot be shackled or imprisoned. In fact, the Word of God tells us that He is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! (2 Corinthians 3:17).
In an instant, the prison’s atmosphere of gloom was invaded by the hope of the world! Its foundations shook, the shackles and restraints were loosed, the doors flung open and gospel was shared. Simply wonderful and amazing!
This is why I choose to praise and lift up the name of Jesus, because He has never and will never leave me nor abandon me. He is my refuge and His joy is my strength. I delight in the season I am in because I get to see the tapestry that is my testimony being woven together!
Prayer
Jesus,
Thank You for Your love and comfort! I praise You for being my strength and hope. I am blessed by the truth in Word. You truly are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I praise You because of who You are. Thank You for weaving my testimony in the midst of a difficult season. AMEN!
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Nathan
