Praising God in the midst of all things

Job 1:21 (NIV)
²¹  and (Job) said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."


Praising God in the midst of pain and grief, must be one of the most difficult things to do, but oh, the rewards.  We find similar statements in the book of James. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." (James 1:2). How many of us think to consider the valley we are wading through, pure joy?  What does it take for us to praise God in all things?

It takes faith, and a mature understanding that God can work all things for good.  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20) Illness, death, broken families and relationships, we can praise God through all these situations.

Can you think of a situation that is breaking your heart, or has you questioning, "Why, God?" Turn that plea into a praise and thank God for His presence in your life. Thank Him for teaching you to turn to Him for healing and help in those times of trouble.

This may be one of the most difficult poses to take before God, one of humility and faith and love, while feeling trapped in our pain and heartache. But, what blessings will come from submission like this. Praise God from whom all blessings flow...


Job 1:18-22

Forgiveness is Never Easy

…When their message came to him, Joseph wept.  Genesis 50: 17b

Have you ever had to forgive someone a huge wrong?  It’s hard to do isn’t it.

I’m not talking about forgiving someone who talked bad about you or lied about you.  Maybe you have had someone steal from you and you knew you needed to forgive them.  Forgiving someone is always hard but I am talking about forgiving someone whose choices had a life altering consequences for you.

Perhaps someone’s lies lost you your job, causing you to uproot your family in search of a new start.  Maybe you have been the victim of abuse.  Now, because of someone else’s choices you are trying to learn how to trust again. It could be, you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver and your only choice is to forgive or let the hopeless bitterness and despair consume you.

Joseph was confronted with the seemingly impossible decision of forgiving his brothers.  Sold into slavery as a young boy, Joseph was separated from parents who loved him and forced to live a life of servitude.  He was falsely accused of assault, imprisoned, and alone.  None of these things would have happened to him if his brothers hadn’t acted in such an evil way against him.  Joseph had reason to seek revenge yet their father asks him to seek forgiveness.

His dying request for his son was, “I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.”   Joseph’s response to this request was forgiveness, but something happened before he declared them forgiven and I don’t want you to miss it.

Joseph wept.

When we have been sinned against, forgiveness is required of us.  It is not easy, especially when the hurt is deep and life-changing.  I believe to forgive a deep hurt we must grieve.  Grieve what was lost.  A friend, a job, trust, innocence… Grieve.  Weep deeply, then turn to God to fill that void.  When God fills the hurt we can rely on his strength to forgive.

Read the entire scripture here Genesis 50: 12-21