Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.’

DAILY READING; Acts 5:17-42; Deuteronomy 25-27; Job 16

Thomas Chisholm is the writer of one of 20th century’s most beloved hymns, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”.
His desire to write songs to encourage people stemmed from his own personal encounter with sufferings. He is quoted as saying ‘Having been led, for a part of my life, through some difficult paths, I have sought to gather from such experiences material out of which to write hymns of comfort and cheer for those in similarly circumstances.”

Indeed Thomas Chisholm did go through some difficult paths in life. As a child, after his basic education, he was unable to attend a high school.
After his conversion to Christianity when he was 27 years old, he was later ordained a Methodist minister in 1903. But he suffered so much poor health that he couldn’t continue serving as a minister. He served only a single, brief appointment at Scottsville, Kentucky before resigning. Due to his ill health, he had to leave the town and relocated his family to Winona Lake, Indiana where he stayed to recover. As a prolific writer of poetry, he began writing Hymns to bless God.
When he eventually became stronger, by 1916 he took up the job of an insurance salesman.
Through the difficulties and trials he passed in life, Thomas continued to write hymns to praise God and bless men. By the time of his retirement in 1953, he had written more than 1200 poems, 800 of which were published. Out of the many hymns he wrote, the depth of meaning and lyrical beauty of the words found in “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” has made it an especially beloved hymn for many people around the world.

Although, Thomas Chisholm had many things to complain about in his life, he chose rather to bless God. As a result God enabled him to overcome and end up as a celebrated hymnist.
Judging God faith in difficult seasons of life moves Him to act in our favour. Certainly, how we handle challenges determine how far we can go in destiny. Our attitude of gratitude will always determine our altitude.
Though we may sometimes face adversities, we have to shake off the desire to grumble or complain, but rather keep thanking God for His faithfulness.
The truth is that no matter what we may face in life, God is always faithful. Though we may fight battles, these are often fights of faith through which God’s faithfulness is proved in our lives.
While battles are real, our victory is always guaranteed through Christ. This is why in every situation rather than focus on the problem, we focus on God’s Word..
The ability to praise God effectively is through faith imparted in our heart by the Word. This is why it is important to diligently study the Word. The more the Word fills our heart, the more the joy of the Lord will strengthen us to be victorious over every conflict.
As the year draws to an end it is a good time to look back and recount God’s faithfulness in our lives. Indeed God has been good. Never mind some of the negative things that may seem to have happened. The only reason why you survived the things that came against you this year was because God is on your side.
There is no how we can count the many battles He has fought and won for us.
God is indeed good. And He is bigger than any challenge we will ever face in life. Therefore instead of complaining, or wearing a spirit of heaviness, let us rather put on the garment of praise. Let us in everything keep praising God and keep judging Him faithful.
Surely what He has begun in our lives this year, He will bring it to a flourishing and glorious completion.

PRAYER: Lord, I know You are always good and faithful. No matter what happens around me, I know You are in perfect control of my life. Please grant me the grace to always give You worthy praise at all times in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
To get into the next level of your life, God will always give a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222