PSALM 103:1 – 2  ‘Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.’

DAILY READING – Mark 1:21-45; 2 Samuel 3:2-39; Daniel 2:1-23

Indeed we have every cause to thank God! He has done great and mighty things for us! He has answered the cry of our hearts and has continued to work in strange and mysterious ways to favor His people and His church in our nations.

When we think about all the goodness of Jesus, then we are bound to thank Him. Indeed in this season we must especially appreciate God for arising for the Church and executing His council in our nation. Left to the enemy so many things would have gone wrong, but God has been mighty in the midst of His people. The truth is that so many times the things we ought to be thanking God for, are things we take for granted.

For instance we go to church as a routine, and openly declare our identities as Christians. But do you know there are countries where to be identified as a Christian is a death sentence? North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. In this totalitarian communist state, Christians are forced to hide their faith completely from government authorities, neighbors and often, even their own spouses and children. In October 2016, a 55 year old North Korean defector reveals he was tortured and nearly killed just for being a Christian.  He managed to escape from one of the country’s notorious jails, fleeing into China and is now living in Los Angeles, US. He  described being tortured in the hermit state because of his religion.  He told Fox News about how he was forced to hide his religious beliefs . He along with eight others started an underground church, but because of the repression of Christians, they were forced to keep it a secret. But in 2008, officials caught and arrested him.  He was about to be sent to one of the country’s terrifying labour camps – where prisoners must undergo “re-education” treatment – when he managed to escape across the border. He  now lives in LA where he has promised to continue spreading the word about North Korean injustices.

Besides North Korea, there are many other repressive countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Christians who live in such regions of persecution, whenever they escape, find it strange how those of us who live in religious freedom can be casual about our faith. It is said you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose it. This is why people who have a near death experience often come out of it with a new appreciation for life.

We therefore must lift our voice in thanksgiving to God. Thanking for what He has done and what He will continue to do. Thanksgiving is important because it adjusts our attitude and calibrates our hearts so that we stop complaining and rather begin to appreciate God.  By His grace the enemy will not turn our nation into a place where we will not freely hear the Gospel. While we pray for Christians in persecuted areas, we believe that our own freedom will never be tampered with. And it is through praise that God takes over our battles. So as we continue to praise God in this season we can be assured that the church in our nations will continue to go forward and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it in Jesus Name.

PRAYER:  Lord from the very depths of my heart I bless You for keeping covenant. I thank You for preserving us as individuals and as Your Church, indeed by Your grace we shall continue to advance forward and the gates of hell shall never prevail against us in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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