1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

DAILY READING Ephesians 3; Ezekiel 8-9; Isaiah 41

For many decades, Christians in China have suffered many attacks and persecutions. Yet, the Chinese Church keeps bouncing back and waxing stronger despite these many challenges.
One of the reasons for this has been the resilient spirit of the believers in China. For many years, the Chinese government has attempted to restrict the Christians in the country, yet their voices cannot be silenced.

This fact was evident, in the story of Pastor Yang Hua who recently faced persecution from the government. When Chinese authorities raided his church, Pastor Yang was arrested for attempting to prevent the authorities from confiscating a hard drive in the Church.
He was charged with the crime of obstructing justice and imprisoned on December 9, 2015. In addition he also faced an accusation of owing the government more than $1 million in fines due to collecting offerings in the Church.
The pastor was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. While incarcerated, he developed diabetes and a severe inflammation in his legs that left him in intense pain and unable to walk for weeks.
He was eventually released on 19th June 2018 after completing his sentence. At his release, despite all his challenges, as he left the prison premises, Pastor Hua burst out into loud praises. He sang and blessed God to show that imprisonment couldn’t stop his faith. Despite all he seemed to have lost he remained grateful to God that he didn’t lose his life.

In the Old Testament, when the priest made offerings on hot coals, accompanied with incense, the Bible says that these offerings made by fire were a pleasing aroma and a sweet savor unto the Lord. [Leviticus 2:16]

Sometimes some of our sweetest incenses of praise are those offered from the fire.
At those times, when everything seems to be contrary and there seems no reason to be thankful, those are the very moments we should offer unto God worthy praise.

God is certainly in control and He will never put on you more than you can bear. Sometimes, tribulation is an indication of the grace He has given you to overcome the situation.
Indeed the fire is not there to burn you, but rather there to reveal the power of God in your life.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were put in jail for preaching the Gospel, but it became an opportunity to reveal the power of God in their lives. As they praised despite their pain, God came down in an earthquake and miraculously delivered them.

Every time you praise despite the pain, you’re making preparation for the rain.

In 2 Kings chapter 3, there was serious drought in the valley. It hadn’t rained in a long time, and there was not a cloud in the sky. And yet the prophet Elijah instructed the people to dig ditches in preparation to catch the water from the rain that was coming. It was a strange command to dig ditches in a desert place, when there was no sign of rain. But when the people dug the ditches, the next day they were filled to overflowing, the drought had ended!

Today, there may not seem to be any sign of rain around you, but make preparations by blessing the Lord at all times. As you do, you will soon hear the coming sound of the abundance of rain. As you keep praising God, your season will start changing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

Rejoicing and being thankful in everything is God’s will for us. Therefore, today, no matter the situation, let us keep blessing the Lord at all times. As we do, we will soon see downpours of favor, blessings, and abundance of God’s signs and wonders.

PRAYER: Lord, Please grant me the grace to always give You worthy praise at all times. No matter what happens around me, I thank You for always being in total control and perfecting all that concerns me in Jesus Name.

Quote
Your attitude always determines your altitude in life. –WORDBITE 222.