Nehemiah 8:10 ”Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ “.

DAILY READING; Matthew 10:1-25; Leviticus 7-8; Proverbs 22.

Recently the Christian Broadcasting Network,[CBN], featured the amazing story of Frank Icenhour, a 15 year old Christian boy who was rescued from the ocean.
At that time, Frank had been on a summer vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his family. And on the last day of the vacation, he decided to take a final float on his raft around 7pm. But while in the water, Frank was suddenly caught in a monstrous rip tide. As he yelled for help, no one really heard him because at that time, most of the lifeguards and the other tourists had gone home.
Because he couldn’t swim, the waves continued to carry him and his raft, farther and farther out to sea. However, in this moment of danger, Scripture verses began to flood his young mind. He recalled God’s promise to never leave nor forsake him and believed God would somehow rescue him. Thinking on God’s Word, kept Frank calm, and rather than fear, he started praising God for his deliverance.
Frank kept praising God for many hours, even as it got darker and he drifted further. Frank refused to give in to fear, even when a shark began to circle him, eventually the shark left, without attacking him.
Meanwhile, Frank’s family had alerted the authorities. They continued to pray even as rescue planes scanned the sea looking for him. Miraculously, after 14 hours, he was finally located by a shipping boat. By that time, Frank had drifted about six miles away from where he had entered the water.

It is truly amazing that this 15 year old boy who couldn’t swim, was lost and alone in a shark infested ocean, for a whole night, yet through praising God, he survived it all.
After his rescue, Frank continued to bless God for giving him the faith not to have panicked, which had helped to keep him from drowning.

Indeed praising God will always keep us afloat and stop us from drowning in the troubled waters of life.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas found themselves in deep trouble. They had been beaten and thrown into prison and their situation looked bleak and hopeless.
But rather than despair, at midnight, they arose and praised God. In the midst of their praise, there was a mighty earthquake, that broke the prison doors and delivered from the dungeon.
Because God inhabits the praises of His people, through praise, we create room for Him to come in and change negative situations for us.
As this year begins to round up, you may have one reason or the other to be worried, but rather that despair, switch to praise. Never forget that God crowns the year with good things and in these last months, He has concluded a definite plan of divine completion for you. All you have been believing God for this year can still come to pass. It is never too late.
Even if things seem bleak and dark, through praise, you can be raised out of every pit. Understand that God is greater than any situation that will ever confront you in this life. Therefore, rather than fret or worry, always maintain your praise.

Nehemiah 8:10 says ” ‘Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ “.

As long as you retain you joy, you will triumph in the end. If you refuse to be depressed, the enemy cannot oppress you.
Therefore in this season, let your heart be strong in God’s Word and keep your faith. As you bless the Lord at all times, God shall turn your mourning into dancing. He shall put off your sack cloth and gird you with gladness.

PRAYER: Lord , I thank You for the grace to keep praising You in every situation. I know that because You live, I can always face tomorrow. Thank You Lord for granting me divine speed and ease in this season in Jesus Name.

Quote
The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222