PSALM 124: 2 KJV

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:   Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

DAILY READING –Acts 20:17-34; Judges 14-15; Job 42

Lecrae Devaughn Moore is an American Christian hip hop recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and actor. As a child, Lecrae grew up never knowing who his father was. He sought to fill that void by surrounding himself with gangsters. Before long, Lecrae was embroiled in a world filled with drugs, theft, alcohol, and gang activity. However while schooling at the University of North Texas, a friend invited him to a Christian conference. There he ended up giving his life to Christ. However, as a young Christian, it was hard for him to give up his old life of partying and so he ended up living a double life of partying at night and going to church in the morning. But living this way only brought total frustration. He knew he needed to stop the life of sin. Then one day while driving, when he failed to negotiate a turn, his car went over an embankment and rolled several times. The car was destroyed with mangled metal and glass shards sprayed everywhere. Even his eye glasses got “molded” into the car frame. But Lecrae walked away unscathed. He knew he could have only escaped death by the grace of God, and so at that point he decided to turn himself completely over to Christ. He made his stand public by typing out his testimony and sharing it out at college, not caring that some people jeered at him.  Encouraged to use his rhyming talent for the Lord, Lecrae began rapping Christian songs. As his music ministry expanded, he later became the president, co-owner and co-founder of the independent record label Reach Records, To date, he has released several studio albums, won grammy awards, and become one of the most successful Contemporary Christian musicians today.

It is remarkable, that though Lecrae was living a double life, yet in the midst of his sin, God still gave him a second chance. He was delivered from the devastating accident, only by the mercy of God.

Lamentations 3:22  says ‘It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’

Many of us like Lecrae,  had at one point or the other made mistakes and could have died in our sins, yet God’s mercy prevailed. Even those times it seemed the enemy had every opportunity to have destroyed us, God’s mercy preserved us. We have survived thus far, not because of our own strength, but because of God’s unending love. Even in the midst of troubles He had given His angels charge over us. Do you know how many people went through what you went through and didn’t come out of it alive? Do you know how many arrows are sent towards you every day, and yet none ever finds their mark?

Indeed if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side, where would we be?  God is good and very faithful  . This is why we appreciate and praise Him at all times.  Even when things seem they are not working, if only we can praise God at those times, He will turn it all around for good.

Habakkuk 3:17 -19  says  ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.’

In every situation, let us learn to rejoice and bless God. Let us praise Him for the many battles He has fought and won for you. And no matter what comes our way, let us keep praising Him, knowing that indeed He is working everything together for our good.

PRAYER:  Lord please grant me the grace to praise You in every situation. Despite the challenges, that may sometimes come my way, help me to see that indeed  you are working  everything together for my good in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

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