Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’

DAILY READING; – John 10:1-21; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 73

Eric Henry Liddell was a Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist, who shocked the world in the 1924 Paris Olympics by refusing to run a qualifying race on a Sunday, because it was the Lord’s Day. When he later ran on another day, he won the gold medal and broke a world record. And though he attained great fame as Scotland’s greatest athletic hero, he later gave it all up to travel to China to serve as a missionary. After working for some years, by 1941 life in China became dangerous as the Japanese army invaded. Soon the mission station where Liddell worked was overrun by the Japanese army who detained him at an internment Camp with other missionaries. Life in the detention camp was tough, with food, medicine and other supplies quite scarce. However despite the tough conditions, Liddell remained cheerful and busied himself by helping others; he taught Bible classes and became a leader and organiser at the camp. Years later, one of his fellow prisoners, Norman Cliff, who later wrote a book about their experiences described Liddell as “the finest Christian gentleman it has been my pleasure to meet.’ Another survivor from the camp, Langdon Gilkey, who later became a prominent theologian, said of Liddell: ‘He was overflowing with good humour and love for life’. He said Liddell came as close to being a saint as anyone he had ever known. And in 2008, just before the Beijing Olympics, Chinese authorities said during Liddell’s time at the camp, he was once given an opportunity to be free by the Japanese, but Liddell gave up his chance by allowing a pregnant woman to take his place and be freed instead. Eric Liddell died on 21 February 1945, and his last words before giving up the ghost was, “It’s complete surrender”, in reference to how he had given his life completely to God.

When we make a complete surrender of our lives to God, we will seek to bring Him glory in every situation. Life is not always a bed of roses and sometimes, tough situations may arise, but in everything we keep giving God thanks because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. There are no crown wearers in Heaven that were not once cross bearers on earth. Joy is not necessarily the absence of difficulties, rather it is the assurance of God’s Presence even in the midst of adversity. When Joseph was in prison, despite being in an adverse situation, he went about cheering up other prisoners and brought glory to God through his conduct. And the result was that God brought him out of the prison and elevated him even above Potiphar who had put him in prison. In life there are often seasons of temptations when it may seem as if you are in a ‘prison’. You can feel imprisoned by the challenges and problems that seem to overwhelm you. However, your attitude is what will determine your outcome. Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Indeed it is your mentality that determines your reality. Complaining will complicate your situation, but praise will raise you out of it. When Paul and Silas were in prison, it seemed there was no way out of their trouble, their feet were chained and there were soldiers on each side. But instead of being depressed they turned to praise. And God broke every barrier and miraculously set them free. Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.’ Indeed we must remain joyful in every situation. What the enemy meant as a reason for your tears, let it be the reason for your praise. When you praise God in the midst of trials, God will cause you to triumph and turn every mourning into dancing for you.

PRAYER: Lord, I know that indeed with You nothing shall be impossible and even right now, You are turning around everything for my good. Thank You Lord for the grace to keep praising You at all times in Jesus Name.

QUOTE When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. WORDBITE 222