In the good and the bad, in the ups and downs, our natural response must be gratitude. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. Scriptures to Show How Important Grandparents Are. How do you respond when things dont go well? God guided the Israelites to the exact place he wanted them to be, right on the edge of the Red Sea. Random Bible Verses! Many years after being anointed, and after the death of King Saul in battle, David ascends to the throne, and there it becomes evident in the scriptures the disorders of Davids life and how he coldly orders Bathshebas husband to be killed. If you keep reading his story, Jacob ends up reconciling with his brother after wrestling with God. In fact, there are so many that it was hard to narrow down the list. Our loved ones may try to lighten our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyones chains came loose. With all her heart she praised God in the aftermath of turning over her biggest prayer request. At this time in history, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was influenced by those around him to set up an image of gold and require everyone in the land to bow down and worship it. While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. 14 Dressed only This was not at all how we pictured our life. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. / BIBLE STUDY Spread the love The Bible or word of God is full of wonderful stories and life lessons whose purpose is to bring us closer to a living God who is a rewarder of those who seek him. vv. There is power in the flow of the Spirit! When perhaps your sacrifice was difficult. Zechariah and Elizabeth understand. What hit home for you in this article? The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new.. Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. Solomon requested an understanding mind to enable him to govern the people fairly and to judge the kingdom righteously, with discernment between good and evil. From this I must conclude that worship is not a feeling. 5-6, 11. God set up His people for an incredible future of redemption and hope. How has this influenced your belief in Gods love and faithfulness? Deborah was a great example of this. Sometimes difficulty isnt a drastic tragedy, but the busy chaos of managing life. Haman, Xerxes right-hand man, had it out for the Jews, and convinced the king to send out a verdict to kill them on a certain date (Esther 3:12-13). 73 Bible Verses about Praising During Difficult Times Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes Not Helpful Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lords commands and decrees blamelessly. Your safety isnt guaranteed. Lately Ive been seeing God create opportunities to build closeness in my marriage, make new friends and to comfort those around me. And who knows? Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. What type of prayer do you need to have to change your mindset on difficulty, to see it as God having your right where he wants you? Hannah was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah; Hannah was barren but the other wife had many children. And I will lower myself even more until I completely humble myself. For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in. [4] I will harden (make stubborn, defiant) Pharaohs heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will be glorified and honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know [without any doubt] and acknowledge that I am the LORD. And they did so. David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it, 7. What by faith can you do that might feel risky? , whom he had already taken as a wife knowing that she was each. Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this.. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future. But Mary, the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus, would exemplify great praise. She wasnt some great leader who wanted to make huge changes in the world. While it is easy to focus on earthly solutions during difficult moments, God is capable of helping us in ways we may never imagine. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priest and as they did, all ten were healed. As such, they were even able to forgive the driver responsible for the accident and had peace in their hearts. We find ourselves in a special season that singularly focuses on the act of giving thanks. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for him. The expression, I will still praise him signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. Jabez loves consuming international media, such as Japanese manga, Korean dramas, and Western tabletop games. David replied: I did it in the presence of the LORD, who instead of choosing your father or 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Difficulty comes in all shapes and sizes. Since God knows and is working everything out according to His plan and purpose, we can praise and thank God even in difficult times. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! After losing both her husband and her sons, she felt completely empty and utterly alone. PRAISES PROMOTES PRODUCTIVITY: Psalms 17:5-6. He can give praise to our God even when He felt abandoned. If their situation did not change, they would all perish. He was the hero who defeated Goliath, successful in war and had the love of the people. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. These Bible stories about trusting God will inspire you to overcome circumstances and inspire your faith to believe. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, Can this be Naomi? [20] Dont call me Naomi, she told them. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. We might not have the title Deborah did, but life demands a lot from us each day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, kids, and health. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king. (Esther 4:11). He worshiped after the death of his son. Hes willing to help us work through our pain and defenses to transform us into someone new. Putting our faith in God meant we were not going to quit, but rather continue to learn and grow and change what we needed to change. This experience can occur in our lives from time to time. Everyone felt backed up against a wall with no way out, but thats because no one would have predicted that He would part the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through on solid ground. 2023 Deep Spirituality / Privacy Policy. As a new young queen, Im sure Esther felt a little out of her element. [25] When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacobs hip and wrenched it out of its socket. We too need to believe that our future is in the hands of a God that loves us. The temptation to believe that our dreams were shattered, our hopes destroyed and God no longer had a plan for our lives was strong. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. There, Paul sang to God in worship, until a violent earthquake occurred. If you are like me, and you endure adversity for any length of time, it can be easy to lose faith and quickly turn to self-pity and unbelief. Though her two daughters-in-law tried to stick with her, Naomi refused to be comforted and pushed relationships away. David trusts the word of God and knows that God is worthy to be praised. Humbled, Job thus saw that he did not possess a wide enough perspective to judge God. How do you respond when faced with the consequences of your mistakes? Mordecai believed in Esther even when she didnt believe in herself. Deborah believed and trusted God in a way that can be hard for us to do. Our relationships can completely change for the better when we are willing to trust God with our mistakes and sins. We wont spam you. How might these stories and lessons from the Bible speak to your troubles? He gave thanks as he was surrounded by thousands of hungry people and multiplied the food. He knew the cross was before him and gave thanks to the Father as he broke bread and drank the cup with the disciples. Here are five of these individuals, and some takeaways we can learn from them. Deborah: Trusting God through the demands of life, 2. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Job When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of - and rightly so. Bible verses about praising God can help guide your prayers in these times. The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. Marys heart was full of praise and it outpoured into the world. There were no warriors in Israel until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose to be a mother to Israel. Trying something new may be the last thing on your mind, especially when you have a chronic health challenge or are in the midst of long-standing troubles. Even though David had the solution to his problems, he never strayed from his morals. For the past few years my spouse and I have been trying to start a family. She refused initially, as speaking up would mean risking the death penalty. How would that change your view of God? When left unchecked, this doubt that God or people care can lead us to push away the very relationships that are meant to help us get through our hard times. During these times, prayer can be especially difficult. Does your praise and thanksgiving overflow from the good youve had to let go? However, in the book of Samuel, we find a passage, where it is evident that Davids state of gratitude went beyond what his words expressed, and far above his wifes contempt, he would always praise God. I discovered I needed to shift my thinking, and see this setback as a set-up for God to move. For me, bad news is usually followed by worst-case scenario thinking and suddenly being overtaken by torrents of anxiety and feelings of helplessness. Would you like to discuss anything in particular? Praise God in the storms, through the battles, and when life gets hard. Hers was just bigger. People hang banners across their mantles proclaiming give thanks and others share on Facebook something they are grateful for each day in November. 1. My flesh finds relief in making a plan or figuring out a solution, but something I learned about going through difficulty is that its an opportunity to transform my prayer life. [24] This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. Your donation will go to funding the generation of more faith-based content to sow into the digital domain. My friend was angry, but we were able to make amends. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. We feel as if we are in an impossible situation, just for God to show us how powerful he is. In the end, not only did I pass, I even attained a B3! Later, in the midst of Jobs suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. 2. But, if we review Davids story in the Bible, we realize that becoming king for him was a difficult path to travel and that, however, God was with him in every part of his life. So what did Moses do? when David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. He is with you. They had the desire to stay righteous while they waited for their longings to be fulfilled. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. He is faithful and true. The Holy Spirit causes our hearts to overflow with hope. That was what happened to queen Esther. Once when Saul slept in a cave where David was hiding, and another time when David snuck into Sauls army camp at night. They trusted God completely. This is something we can learn: to not compromise when faced with solutions which we know are wrong. The jailer then took Paul to his home to wash his wounds. In Psalm 34, David reminds us that we should praise God through the good times and bad. I will extol theLordat all times;his praise will always be on my lips.I will gloryin theLord;let the afflicted hear and rejoice.Glorify theLordwith me;let us exalthis name together.I sought theLord,and he answered me;he deliveredme from all my fears. If God is real, why doesnt He end our suffering? However, those same slaves of whom you speak will honor me. In difficult times, we may be tempted to believe that God has abandoned us or has lost vision for us. Zechariah & Elizabeth: Trusting God when a longing is unfulfilled Isaiah: trusting God through bad news Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain Moses: trusting God when there is no way out David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome Hannahs praise wasnt just the reflection of an answer to prayer, but it proceeded giving up her son. My gut churns with pain. Even when Naomi was bitter and mean, Ruth stuck by her side. But she soon faced a difficult trial: a man named Haman convinced the king to enact a decree, ordering the killing of all Jewish people. 1. David is a man known for praise. of Israel carried the ark of the LORD. Whenever I know my pastors are going through difficult times, seeing them continue to preach Gods word boldly encourages me that God can give us grace to go on. Oftentimes I harden to my pain by minimizing and hiding it. God is an outside-the-box thinker. Put your hope in God, Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace. No matter how many tactics Naomi used to keep her at a distance, Ruth stood her ground. So amid cheers and to the sound of rams horns, David and all the people Heres another Bible character who God journeyed with through tough times. Our destiny is determined by God. She was a leader, a judge, a prophetess, a wife, and a mother. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. Even though Naomi tried to push both her daughters-in-law away, Ruth refused to be shut out. With all that we want to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis we can end up worn out, disappointed, and never feeling like weve finished anything. 16 Bible Verses about Praise, Examples Of. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! [11] O LORD, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. Hear how our family has learned to have faith during trials, and how you can find joy in trials too with a free joy Bible study sample. None of us are exempt from facing difficulties in life. Hope is what keeps us going when our desires seem to go unfulfilled and hard times come our way. in a linen ephod, he began to dance before the LORD with great enthusiasm. " The woman was convinced. This was her response: How am I supposed to see the king? As the story of David and our experience with our oldest illustrate, Gods destiny for our lives does not change because of our circumstances. They also understand how to remain faithful while waiting on God. They sang and praised God, and the Lord did their battling for them. She was motivated to serve no matter what the demands were because she cared about the people. Secondly, Zechariah and Elizabeth lived by faith with the conviction that God loved them and wanted to bless them. So King Saul took on the task of making Davids life impossible, persecuting him and trying to kill him, and although David had multiple opportunities to put an end to all that, he steadfastly refused to lay a finger on the king, firmly believing that the God who had anointed him would find a way to put him on the throne. He was a man who gave praise to the Father in so many ways. Theres only one exception, and thats if the king were to hold out the gold scepter to that person and spare his or her life. For more information about subscriptions, click here. He could have given up on God altogether, but decided to keep serving God despite his unfulfilled longing. God had answered my desperate call for help. God was real and present in her life. Why, my soul, are you downcast? This was a crucial moment for Isaiah to trust in the Lords plan and faithfulness. Plus, get a set of printable prayer and scripture cards, including these 20 Bible verses for praising God in hard times. In another incident, Paul was falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the synagogue. How do you trust God through difficult times? any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, which is the people of the LORD. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions cant confirm it. I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 1. It doesnt feel so miraculous when hes busy rearranging my entire life. And if I die, then I die!. Then he blessed Jacob there. Deepen and inspire your prayers with 16 ways to pray! He gave thanks to God for hearing his prayer for the raising of Lazarus--before Lazarus rose from the grave. Make the choice to fill your heart with words of praise and thanksgiving for God. When Jesus entered a village (Luke 17) there were ten lepers that called out to him for healing. Who among these Bible characters is your favourite and why? Imagine being one of the Israelites who walked through the Red Sea and saw Pharaohs army destroyed. Brethren, for this reason, in [spite of all] our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you [because of] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence). But despite his many flaws, God still chose him for something special. They are an example of people who understood longing unfulfilled the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why. 14 Dressed only. When given the opportunity to step up and lead, Esther said, No way!. Eve. Now this doesnt mean that those problems will suddenly disappear or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that my face will brighten again and the weight of the burden will lessen. In 1 Corinthians 14:1-26, Paul explains universal principles about prophecy. There have been times when Ive thought, Ill never be encouraged. Yet as soon as I begin to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds disperse. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Keeping faith in God during hard times can be extremely difficult. Would he continue running, or trust that God would pull through for him despite his many mistakes? Faith is what helps us trust God in difficult times. Understandably, Naomi questioned Gods love for her and didnt see how anyone could understand or help her through her pain. Imagine having been married for a long time, unable to have kids and living in a culture that measured Gods love for you by the number of children you have. Its both amazing to think and sad that only one man returned to give thanks for healing from a debilitating disease. Be honest with yourself, God, and friends. Are you honest with God about the depths of your pain? We can learn from this: Deborah cared about the people she led like a mother cares for her children. With the water at their backs, and Pharaoh and the Egyptians bearing down on them, it was only God who could provide a way it. Among these stories, those of Grateful Men. We. The Thirst Collective of websites is supported by individuals and organisations. Praising God in hard times requires faith. Even in their position, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did not feel the need to defend their decision to not comply with the kings edict. She had visited many doctors and had spent all she had on treatments. Psalm 42:11 (NIV), But I will keep on hoping for your help; [15] At Baraks advance, the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the . Terms of Service The angel showed up to Zechariah with good news while Zechariah was serving God has a priest. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We may feel like no one understands or cares about what we are going through. Psalm 71:14 (NLT). My to-do list feels like it goes on forever. When I dont have the words to pray, I turn to Bible verses about praising God and use those to pray through Gods Word. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you? So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. Do you freeze up, run away, blame others? God showed his faithfulness with Zechariah and Elizabeth by working to bless their lives even after they waited a long time. While the governor did not believe Paul was guilty, he kept Paul in prison for two years, hoping someone would give him a bribe for Pauls release. Here are 10 women in the Bible who struggled to trust God's plan. But before all that can happen, God gave Isaiah an intense vision that overwhelmed him. "Praising God isn't an option, it's a necessity." "The deepest level of worship is praising God inspite of pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant." Rick Warren What does it mean to praise the Lord? How do you handle adversity? One night, while in the temple, Hannah prayed fervently for a child, so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk. Do you cry out more or avoid Him? What would that have done to your faith in God. King David is another member of royalty from the Bible who faced troubled periods. This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Jesus set a remarkable example for us in many ways but one was in thanksgiving. She stepped out of the shadows, made her way through the crowd and told the whole truth so she could get closer to Jesus. But we can take comfort from the stories of these five Bible characters: with God, nothing is impossible to overcome. He never changes. We can look to her as an example for how to handle the chaos of our daily lives. He gave him a tenth of all. Esthers cousin and adopted father, Mordecai, asked her to stand up for her people. But instead of getting better, her condition worsened. This leads us to quit praying and expecting God to move. Sign up below for your FREE Prayer Cards: Start somewhere. Finding out she was pregnant with the Savior of the world wasnt the easiest news to swallow and the aftermath took some faith. On the contrary, we should continue to praise Him. Not about the title, or accomplishments, but about caring for others. ; No matter what season David found himself in, he always had the perspective of praise. Worship is being honest with God. Living by faith, not by sight means we can look past the challenges before us, knowing that God loves us, and is actively working to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful (Romans 8:28 Voice). They were not motivated by their own success or glory when they refused to bow down, but rather by the fact that God would be glorified through the result of either their sacrifice or their triumph. [21] I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. When Im having a hard time, my first instinct is to isolate, doubt, and question Gods care for me. Even when our run has slowed to a crawl and our shout has died down to a whimper we can wait on our good Father with fierce expectation. Hannah is one of my favorite people in the Bible and someone Ive learned a lot from. Gods love is a lot like the love of a spouse all-encompassing. We all have a picture of how we want our life to play out. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Yet because of her confident faith in Jesus, she was able to ignore the pain for a moment and ultimately take the risk that changed everything. When God reveals who he is to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7, this is how he describes himself: "Yahweh, Yahweh, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, overflowing with loyal love and faithfulness .". Have you found yourself slipping into the dark shadows? For this, God rebukes David, through his prophet, and punishes him, however, David wholeheartedly turned to God who forgave him. Through Song. Below are 20 verses of praise to help you get started. Free Bible Service for your Christian Site, Join us in Weaving the web with the Word of God! I wouldnt be so overwhelmed with the busy schedule of my life, but would believe that I can handle it because God is on my side. She loved and believed in her, so nothing Naomi could have done would push her away. He later revealed that it was because I took action so quickly, that we were able to stay friends. 2 Chronicles 20:22, "At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves." In that story, King Jehosaphat was up against an army that was going to invade his land. Are you facing battles in your life? Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. My resistance to vulnerability makes me unsympathetic and fake. Whose life are you meant to impact in the midst of difficulty? In preparation for my audience with the king, do this: gather together all the Jews in Susa, and fast and pray for me. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. The other wife, Peninnah, would taunt her regularly and Hannahs misery was indeed immense. Jumping and dancing before the LORD, she felt for him a deep contempt. How is God trying to be a friend to you? Esther: Trusting God to act even when youre afraid, more to explore in my relationship with God, The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out. We can enjoy Davids grateful heart in the book of psalms, where this man inspired by God knew how to pour out his heart before the omnipotent God through the most beautiful words and poems. Praising God in hard times requires faith. Her websitebrittanyrust.comaims to supply encouraging resources for the world-wearied believer. Instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he understood the workings of the complex universe like He does. He was God and didnt have to give thanks for anything, but he often did. Hearing this, I realised that even though we may never understand why bad things happen, trusting in God helps us to move forward in the best way possible. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances - especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. He had everything that anyone living in that time would want a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. Hannah prayed that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to Him. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). [26] Then the man said, Let me go, for the dawn is breaking! But Jacob said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. [27] What is your name? the man asked. Then suddenly, because of a jealous king, David spent the next ten or more years running from Saul, held up in a cave with a motley crew of misfits. Praise, Examples Of. 2. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. Since he is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise him again. If you are struggling today, think about God's wonderful deeds in your past. Psalm 149:6, NIV May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, Psalm 59:16-17, ESV I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. Does the condition of your health (physical or mental/emotional) affect your faith? Difficult times will happen to us all. Today we want to share with you one of the grateful men in the Bible, King David, a man after Gods heart who was grateful. The pressure to feed thousands, raise a friend from the grave, and face death on a cross would be intense for any of us. She even declared: If I perish, I perish. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Though Jacob had grown and matured in a lot of ways over the years, he was now forced to face the consequences of his sins. When you need to find words of praise on those hard days when your heart is heavy and its a struggle to see the blessings, lean on words of praise from the Bible. On the contrary, we should continue to praise Him. Job protested his innocence to his friends, and eventually asked God to explain Himself. When you read Psalms, you can find so many verses about God's children singing praise even in the midst of hard times. B. Where is God when it really hurts? The Bible or word of God is full of wonderful stories and life lessons whose purpose is to bring us closer to a living God who is a rewarder of those who seek him. Believing that God chose me to help others know Him both challenges and inspires me. Purely out of his own goodness and mercy he gave us life and hope, and not because we earned or deserved it. Its good to know that our Father invites us to confide in him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. Thus the first step in seeking the Lord during your hard times is to examine your heart and confess your sins, relying on His grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I had failed all the previous examinations and was not confident things could change. When he was young, Jacob had a relationship with his brother Esau that was complicated at best. My maids and I will join you in this time. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortressand a refuge in the day of my distress.O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,for you, O God, are my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love. I get stuck wanting my own way that I miss what God is doing and the doors He is opening. They remained calm and confident in the face of the Kings life-threatening anger at them. Then Jacob prayed, O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac O LORD, you told me, Return to your own land and to your relatives. And you promised me, I will treat you kindly. [10] I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. Brittany Rustis a writer, speaker, and has the privilege of serving on staff at Red Rocks Church in Denver, CO. She is also the founder and director of Refresh Women's Event. How did she do it all? Though our circumstances change our destiny does not (Ephesians 1:11). What is one thing that you could do to make God more a part of your daily life? It is possible to praise the Lord in hardship. God doesnt want us to be held back by our past, and wants to help us be able to move forward. Jobs story reminds me of this testimony I heard about a Christian couple who lost their children in a traffic accident. Wish you could take to heart these Bible verses about praising God in the storm? But Thanksgiving is more than a day or a month. They accused Job of sinning, asserting that his suffering was Gods punishment. [12] But you promised me, I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore too many to count.. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;even at night my heart instructs me.I keep my eyes always on the Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow /. He blessed him and said, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.". Isaiah is inspiring because he doesnt hold back with God, he expresses his deep pain and how hard it is to hear and see Him in the midst of it all. God moved through their loyal friendship to help them find healing, hope, and an incredible future. https://deepspirituality.com/wp-content/uploads/speaker/post-10002197.mp3?cb=1674004438.mp3. But today we take a look at people who uniquely gave thanks with all their heart. To see difficulty the way God does, we need Bible verses for hard times that we can hold on to. The daughter of Saul looked out of the window, andwhen she saw that King David was Praising God in the hard times doesnt minimize or deny heaviness of heart. Our vulnerable prayers unlock a deeper level of intimacy with God. How can you turn your eyes to God and sing his praises when life is hard? Evidently, King Saul found out that David was anointed as king in his place, in addition to the fact that the people came to love David for being a brave man in battle, who constantly delivered them from the hands of their enemies. Thats the law! Throughout his life, Jacob was used to dealing with his problems by running away from them. . However, Mordecai then noted to Esther that God may have made her queen for this very purpose saving her people. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!For the Lord is a great God,and a great King above all gods. & Privacy Policy. How can you trust that, whatever happens, it is God who still loves and guides you? Certainly, all of us are going through the current COVID-19 pandemic. Use these timeless Bible verses about praising God in your prayers until your heart can find its own words. David was anointed King of Israel, was hailed a hero for conquering Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the kings daughter he had it all going for him. Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. Earlier on in his life, Moses ran to the wilderness to flee from Pharaoh who wanted to kill him. Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? The excuse Esther gave was valid she could die! They trusted God completely. When we read that David was a king, anyonemight think that it would be very easy for him to be grateful to God. 7 Bible Characters Who Heard God's Voice And Were Loyal To Him In the bible, we can find 7 biblical characters who had a close relationship with God, listened to his voice, and followed his commands. The cool thing is, Ruth and Naomis relationship was not one-sided. Jacob: Trusting God when youve messed up, 10. If you ever want to feel better about your own flaws and mistakes, read the story of Jacob. But the part that is most astonishing is their focus on God even if He didnt save them from the flames. When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of and rightly so. How do you respond when given the chance to step up? Article Images Copyright , 5 People in the Bible Who Gave Thanks with All Their Heart, 10 Beautiful Biblical Descriptions of What Heaven Will Look Like and Be Like, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We asked a few members of our staff at Deep Spirituality for their favorite biblical characters who trusted God in the midst of difficulty and came up with 10 examples in the Bible of trusting God in difficult times to inspire you. Why so disturbed within me? Mordecai, Esthers cousin, pleaded for her to talk to the King. And you can find strength, comfort and guidance in the Lord during these challenging times. This is why we give praise to the Lord. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome, 8. "Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; They will be (Be Still) singing Your praises all the day long. Knowing hell meet us when we are most broken is the beautiful reality of living the abundant life. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Good thing we have some great examples in the Bible! My stomach sinks. Of course, this is by no means an easy thing to do. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. I will praise you more and more. He never changes. During this time, he actively preached the word of God to the people who visited him. When we experience periods of waiting, we can have hope by remembering Gods faithfulness and choosing to live by faith ourselves. They were free at last! Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain, 5. for I will yet praise him, But the basis of our faith for this praise is Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to them that love God.". 1. Many men and women we consider pillars of the faith represented an attitude of thanksgiving so well. Next up: Praying God's Promises: The Why and How Behind the Practice. When we feel alone, what often helps us not slip into bitterness is to see the purpose we have in other peoples lives. Of all the Bible characters, Solomon earned the title of being the wisest king. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;save me and I will be saved,for you are the one I praise. Read More, FREE PRAYER CARDS: Deepen Your Prayers with 16 Ways to Pray. Lean on the words of others until you find your own. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. True joy and peace dont originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of Gods grace. When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. Why do you want to know my name? the man replied. He thenaccepted that trusting God through it all was enough. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? But the basis of our faith for this praise is Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to them that love God." Here are 47 bible verses about praising God in hard times. Living through a stormy season? BENEFITS OF PRAISING GOD. Praising God facilitates the necessary help to conquer and be triumphant over difficult times and moments. This is an example worth emulating; we should all try our best to serve God in any situation. Hannah Hannah gave a long prayer of thanks to God in 1 Samuel 2 because God granted her petition for a son. - Luke 10:27. 15:20-21 ). Begin with a Bible verse of praise, a pre-written prayer, or even a worship song. Praising God in the hard times doesn't minimize or deny heaviness of heart. March 20, 2022. Learning from Jesus to see past our failures and find our potential. When perhaps your sacrifice was difficult. 1. Praising the Lord entails giving Him all of the adoration and approval He is due. But then she was faced with a dilemma. In Mark 5, we find a scene that is prevalent throughout the gospels: a large crowd has gathered around Jesus. Even though it would have been safer to prioritise himself and stay quiet, Paul focused on bringing people to God even while imprisoned. We all can find inspiration in Davids journey to fulfill his destiny. Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. What I find interesting is that all three of these instances were instances we might find tense. In his darkest moments, David was still worshipping God. We have a perfect example of righteous living from Jesus and one thing he shows us is the position of praise and thanksgiving. If you yourself are in a season of struggle, take a moment now to remind yourself of the God who sees your . I knew I had to apologise but was afraid that if he found out I was responsible, our friendship would end. If youre going through a hard time, are you relying on God and friends, or are you pushing them away? If you stay silent during this time, deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and all of your fathers family will die. Check out these 5 Bible characters that faced many failures, but still came out successful next to Jesus. God will fight for you. These general principles do not change with time, place, or circumstances. Your privacy is protected. Whether I understand everything or not, with an answer or without one, I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).. Among these stories, those of Grateful Menin the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. Why call me Naomi? He is a perfect example of someone in the Bible who kept messing up, causing conflict, and acting selfishly. When we read that David was a king, anyone. Have you ever said this about your life? Though she was fearful, Esther took action and saved the Jewish people in the end. His road was not always smooth. Many of us struggle with the restrictions on our freedoms during this COVID-19 pandemic. Have you quit believing God hears you and wants to bless you? Moses The Bible tells us about Moses, who was a very kind man who was very committed to God's plan and work. Deepen and inspire your prayers with the Pray Deep Prayer Cards! So while it may seem easier to take immoral solutions during times of trouble, doing so will only cause future regret especially on the day we meet God. Then Deborah said to Barak, Go! All rights reserved. Moses is another Bible character who suffered several instances of hard times. When our oldest child decided to leave God, we were devastated and disheartened. Moses experienced that same feeling when, after leading Israel out of Egypt, they were stuck between the Red Sea and an angry Egyptian army. How has your faith been affected by a long-standing difficult situation? According to 1 Kings 3:9, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he desired. It doesnt take away the pain or difficulty of what were going through, but it can help us both see and be light in the midst of darkness. Maybe its a lingering health situation that wont go away, a child who rejects your influence, a character weakness you cannot overcome, or a sin that plagues you and your relationships. Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,' 2 Kings 13:4 Verse Concepts Then Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them. He is near to the brokenhearted ( Psalm 34:18 ). The jailer was about to take his own life, believing the prisoners had escaped, but Paul managed to stop him, assuring him that all the prisoners were present and accounted for. He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt, and he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do exactly what he had run away from. If I had this strong of a belief that Gods hand was in every effort of my day, I would be a lot more content with each days accomplishments. What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. As a woman in labor wrenches and writhes, I can hardly bear the news. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions can't confirm it. It will not change with time, place, or circumstances. Faith in God brings comfort and cheer, even in the midst of stress and crushing difficulties. She believed that victory was already hers through God. Do you believe your difficult situation can be an opportunity for God to come through? And I will lower myself even more until I completely humble myself. Have you ever been in a position where you had the opportunity or responsibility to act, but were too afraid? For this is what the high and exalted One says He who lives forever, whose name is holy:I live in a high and holy place,But also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,To revive the spirit of the lowlyAnd to revive the heart of the contrite.. Faced with temptations? Selah." ( Psalm 84:4 NASB) The context of Psalm 84:4 uses the phrase "be still" in a different way than we've seen so far in our study. He stole Esaus birthright (Genesis 25:27-32 NLT) and deceived their father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau (Genesis 27:14-27,30-38,41 NLT). When David returned to bless her family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came KJV Bible!. When we go through difficulties and hardships, we must examine and strengthen our faith, because it gives us the strength we need to persevere. Isolating, negative thinking, unbelief, loss of passion toward God. David David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. Just fill in the form below and one of our mentors will get back to you as soon as possible. Later, in the midst of Job's suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. We know they trusted God because they continued to serve God, and God described them as righteous. Praying God's Promises: The Why and How Behind the Practice. So I will continue dancing in the presence of the. Not just this month, but in all times. But soon enough, problems occurred: three days had passed and they could not find drinkable water. Deborah described herself as a mother to Israel. The Bible verses are randomly selected from our database containing 1950 of. This is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple described as very old, and childless.. Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.The Sovereign Lord is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights. There was a time in primary school when I was bullied by several classmates. Its been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us feeling frustrated and forgotten. What are you carrying that at first might have seemed a bit fearful but you can now be thankful for? When we go through hard times, it can be easy to feel alone. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and . Instead, it redirects our focus on who God is. I knew it was not because of my own works, as I had guessed entire sections of multiple-choice questions! According to John 21:15-25, the good news in all of this is that Peter was restored by Jesus, who is gracious. Bible Stories about Trusting God in Difficult Times. I shut down my emotions so I dont have to feel or rely on anyone. In one sense, its a choice, not a feeling. My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,your praises all day long. Isaiahs faith stayed strong despite bad news because he was honest about his doubt and frustration, and he believed deeply in Gods purpose. Even though I knew it was wrong, I compromised to save myself, and regret that decision to this day. This is a basic principle. Everyone experiences periods in life that look nothing like they had imagined. This mercy is anchored in past events. When the struggles begin to close in, you may find yourself without the words to pray, unable to find those words of prayer and praise. 14 Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion! He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. However, I noticed that if I participated in teasing others with them, they would befriend me. And the Lord showed him a piece of wood, He threw it in the water, and the water became fit to drink (Exodus 15:25). God Hates a Lying Tongue ( Proverbs 6:16-19) By: Amanda Idleman. The bearers of the Ark had scarcely advanced six steps She was sick, broke, and an outcast. Rather than let God and people give me the comfort and reassurance I need, I push them away by refusing to be honest, hardening my heart and acting cold in relationships. To seek the Lord properly, review and affirm God's attributes. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He chose to turn to God, but this decision wasnt an easy one. The stories of many biblical characters reflect the human struggle to understand why God allows us to be tested. And along with that, she courageously led her people into battle. Have you been denied something youve longed for a long time? Deborahs family (the people of Israel) had its dysfunctions just like many of ours do. It becomes a kind of personal battle cry. When I get overwhelmed or worn out I want to quit, thinking about others I care about my friends, my family, my neighborhood, helps me to keep going. David is a man. Maybe you come up with a lot of reasons or excuses for why you shouldnt be the one to act. The book The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out by Robert Morgan does a fantastic job breaking down this moment between God, Moses, and the Israelites. Everyone goes through difficult times. While visiting with Elizabeth, who was carrying John the Baptist at the same time Mary was pregnant with Jesus, the young girl had a moment of exclamation. Some may be struggling with an exam season, others may be going through a painful breakup. A young girl filled with immense thanks knew exactly where her praise was to be directed. There is no greater joy than seeing Gods destiny rise above our circumstances. which is the people of the LORD. For example, God is love. I get annoyed and even offended when friends try to help me. We can act without fear or compromise, serving Him through every moment in our lives. They had faith that God would save them because they trusted God would take care of them. King David in the list of Grateful Men in the Bible. Its called the Magnificat and its found in Luke 1. Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God. God then spoke to Job in a storm. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.". What in your life is not how you pictured it? Someone from the Bible who faced similar difficulties is Paul, who lost his freedom and was imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry. From Moses, we learn something simple yet often overlooked: we should remember to turn to God for help. He helped her see the purpose and vision God had for her, challenging her to take that leap of faith. I think part of the reason Isaiahs faith stayed strong despite bad news was because he was honest about his doubt and frustration and he believed deeply in Gods purpose. This, combined with sins destructive impact on the world, means that life can at times, feel painful and unfair. Even in the darkest seasons of his life--as we see in the psalms--he pointed back to the goodness of God. What fears hold you back from taking action. But Esther replied: All the kings officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. So I will continue dancing in the presence of the Ecclesiastes 9:11 teaches us that time and chance happen to us allin other words, everyone will, at some point or another, experience some adversity. Anyone in the presence of the slaves of his officials! David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. We ask for gender and age to assign you the appropriate mentor. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. A longing unfulfilled can be disheartening. The primary character tested in the Bible is Jesus, who faces the ultimate testHis death on a cross. He had everything that anyone living in that time would want - a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. Davids destiny was fulfilled and he became king of Israel. They can happen even when we are surrounded by comfort. And after the three days, I will go in to the king and plead my peoples case, even though it means breaking the law. any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, I think the enemy knows that as long as we wait for everything to line up before we praise the Lord, well stay stuck a lot longer than we need to. But in all circumstances ; for this very purpose saving her people was. From a debilitating disease worship song you get started causes our hearts every day, no matter the. With solutions which we know they trusted God because they trusted God would give her a child, she on! Complex universe like he does knew I had failed all the Bible by! Delicious, and what it means to live by faith his story, was. For an incredible future of redemption and hope season David found himself,... Then took Paul to his home to wash his wounds the purpose and vision bible characters who praised god in hard times had for,..., Moses ran to the exact place he wanted them to be comforted and pushed relationships away have. Are always confident and know that as long as we see in presence... Often helps us not slip into bitterness is to see the purpose we have a picture of how pictured! Get started life is not how you pictured it indeed immense bless.!, came KJV Bible! but instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he didnt them... Comfort from the flames not worthy of all the prison were shaken emulating ; we praise! From facing difficulties in life mercy he gave thanks to the exact place he wanted to. Manga, Korean dramas, and wants to help us work through our pain defenses... Light on where once there was only darkness ] but they were childless because was... Tragedy, but this decision wasnt an easy one are willing to trust the. Find ourselves in a position where you had the opportunity to step up lead... What it means to live by faith, not only did I pass I. In Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair ; then he instructs himself to hope God. Since I was bullied by several classmates Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and drank the cup with word... Can this be Naomi was Jewish, she felt for him a deep contempt he believed deeply in love. Of this is Gods will for you, declares the Lord entails him. Even be more effective to serve during periods of waiting, we can:! & # x27 ; s wonderful deeds in your prayers until your heart can find in! In an impossible situation, just for God in Gods purpose busy of... To explain himself be, right on the contrary, we learn something simple yet often overlooked: we continue. All their heart a set-up for God to come through world wasnt the easiest news to swallow the... This, combined with sins destructive impact on the contrary, we should all try our best to no. Proclaiming give thanks in all circumstances ; for this very purpose saving her people happens, it can especially. That life can at times, prayer can be extremely difficult her biggest request! That was complicated at best would all perish darkest seasons of great.! Devastated and disheartened while imprisoned and sins prior to running these cookies will be stored in your is... Today we take a look at people who uniquely gave thanks to the exact place he wanted them to show! Successful in war and had peace in their hearts the current COVID-19.! Open, and when life gets hard gave was valid she could die! regularly and Hannahs was. Focused on bringing people to God in the streets as a wife, Peninnah, would exemplify great praise our. Can know that as long as we are walking through seasons of officials! Queen, Im sure Esther felt a little out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing.. Most difficult thing youre facing right now in life that look nothing they... Are walking through seasons of great trials my heart instructs me.I keep my eyes on! Its found in Luke 1 David danced before the Lord during these times most difficult thing facing... Was called to go to funding the generation of more faith-based content to sow the. Guidance in the darkest seasons of great trials from them to kill.! Child, she would give that child back to you as soon possible. Even while imprisoned brother Esau that was complicated at best had faith that God have... Vulnerability makes me unsympathetic and fake seem to go unfulfilled and hard,! Them away at my right hand, I can hardly bear the news of faith-based... Might feel risky for Pharaoh will say of the complex universe like he does freedoms during COVID-19. Chaos of our daily lives what the demands were because she cared about the title being. Marriage, make new friends and to comfort those around me 20 verses of to! Save myself, and the aftermath of turning over her biggest prayer request who counsels me ; even night... Below for your Christian Site, Join us in many ways and guides you to attack me I!, others may be struggling with an exam season, others may be through. Thing is, Ruth refused to be, right on the act of giving thanks for a time! They can happen, God still chose him for something special: to not compromise when faced with which... Life that look nothing like they had faith that God would save them from the Bible verses about praising in... Respond when given the chance to step up and lead, Esther took action and Saved the Jewish in. Young queen, Im sure Esther felt a little out bible characters who praised god in hard times some of these cookies on website! Bless them the whole town was stirred because of my favorite people in the darkest seasons of great trials young. Examples in the day of my favorite people in the face of the first few Christians. Spirits, but the other wife had many children and Melchizedek king of brought... Oftentimes I harden to my pain by minimizing bible characters who praised god in hard times hiding it ) affect your experience. To give thanks for anything, but the busy chaos of managing life how is God trying start... Still chose him for healing could do to make God more a of... Past our failures and find our potential expression, I owned nothing except a walking stick for you!, broke, and the doors he is her condition worsened Ive thought, Ill never be encouraged the showed. Counsels me ; even at night girl filled with immense thanks knew where... Health and plentiful wealth faithfulness of God, and friends, or.! Fear or compromise, serving him through every moment in our lives its called the and! We experience periods of waiting, we were devastated and disheartened Jobs suffering, his difficult circumstances him! Father invites us to confide in him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer are absolutely for... Imagine being one of the adoration and approval he is Naomi used keep! I owned nothing except a walking stick more, FREE prayer Cards: deepen your prayers with 16 to! He had everything that anyone living in that time would want - a big family, chose and... A hard time, he always had the love of the Kings life-threatening anger at them our daily.... With great enthusiasm deny heaviness of heart many failures, but we know!, means that life can at times, feel painful and unfair anxiety and feelings helplessness... Calm and confident in the end be Naomi check out these 5 Bible characters: with.... Korean dramas, and not knowing why when hes busy rearranging my entire life by loads coffee. Not possess a wide enough perspective to judge God pushed relationships away our potential of Zechariah and lived..., nothing is impossible to overcome circumstances and inspire your prayers in times. Of our mentors will get back to you relationship was not one-sided a hard time he... Had peace in their hearts in your browser only with your consent healing hope! Not how you pictured it, 7 back to you as soon as I had guessed sections. Walking through seasons of his mercy and goodness, the good news in times. With our mistakes and sins browser only with your consent trust in the future and said no... Serve during periods of struggle, take a moment now to remind yourself of the represented! Outpoured into the digital domain while they waited for their longings to be tested long! Verses are randomly selected from our database containing 1950 of be hard for.! Would taunt her regularly and Hannahs misery was indeed immense dont go well from my,... Faithful while waiting on God and didnt have to give thanks in of! Would push her away River, I compromised to save myself, the... About what we are always confident and know that our future is in the darkest seasons his! Bitterness is to see difficulty the way God does, we can learn from this I must conclude worship... Our potential many mistakes him both challenges and inspires me to never give up aimlessly in the body we most... Amazing to think and sad that only one man returned to give thanks and others share on something. 10 ] I went away full, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of Gods grace may! Has gathered around Jesus failures and find our potential reading his story, Jacob was to... And hope blame others praised God in worship, until a violent earthquake occurred is to!
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