Nehemiah 8:10 ”Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ “.
DAILY READING; • Acts 8:1b-25; Deuteronomy 33-34; Job 20
In 2021, the New York Times and other major media houses reported the amazing story of a Christian teenager who spent 14 terrifying hours on the shark infested Atlantic Ocean without being harmed.
15-year-old Frankie Icenhour was on a summer vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his family when he decided to take a float in the water around 7pm. He was in his 4-foot rubber air raft, when a strong tide suddenly came and swept him out to the sea.
Frankie tried to row back to the beach, but couldn’t. He didn’t know how to swim, so the waves continued to carry him and his raft, farther and farther out to sea. At that time, most of the lifeguards and the other tourists had gone home, so no one could hear his cry or help him.
However, in this moment of danger, Scripture verses began to flood his mind. He recalled God’s promise to never leave nor forsake him and believed God would somehow rescue him. Rather than fear, he started praising God for his deliverance and sang songs like ‘Amazing Grace’.
As it got darker, a shark began to circle him and swam under the raft. Eventually the shark left, without attacking him.
Frank kept praising God for many hours, even as it got darker and he drifted further.
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. After his rescue, Frank told the Media that he was saved against all odds through his faith in God.
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 this last month, 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. Understand that God is greater than any situation that you may be confronted with, therefore, rather than fret or worry, 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 surprise you with 11th hour miracles and cause you to finish this year, well and strong.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for last minute miracles and unexpected blessings that will gloriously crown this year for me. Please grant me the grace to keep praising You in every situation in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction. WORDBITE 222
Shalom!
@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .
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