Psalm 34:1 

I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth…

DAILY READING –    – 2 Corinthians 8; 2 Kings 20-21; Nahum 2

On 4th July 1976, the day the US celebrated its 200th birthday, an Israeli expatriate took a phone call that would change his life. His name was Benjamin Netanyahu.  A student in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he went by the name Ben Nitay, an Americanised shortening of the original.  On the phone was his younger brother, calling with grave news. It was the news that their older brother Yonatan Netanyahu was dead. The then 30 years old, Yonathan, who had been newly installed as the head of Israel’s elite commando unit, was killed that day in the now famous Israeli rescue operation at Entebbe, Uganda.  Though the operation had been an astonishing success and the hostages freed, Yonathan, the leader of the commando unit, had been the only Israeli soldier killed.  It was indeed devastating news for the Netanyahu family. 

And though it was one of Benjamin’s darkest nights, it also led to the dawning of a new day in his life. It marked the opening of a chapter, that would eventually lead him to become the Israeli prime minister between 1996 and 1999. Again winning re-election in 2015.

Prior to his brother’s death, Benjamin was headed for a simple life in business career.  But the national honor and recognition accorded his late brother would throw him into the national limelight and pave his way to the path of a political career, that has today etched his name in world history. As Israel’s Prime minister, he has greatly strengthened the relationship between Israel and Christians. He calls Christians Israel’s best friends, and he was instrumental in the forming of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), which is one of the largest Christian pro-Israel groups in the world. 

Genesis 50:20 says ‘But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,..’

Indeed what the enemy meant for evil in your life can be turned around by God for your good.  What was meant to be Benjamin Netanyahu’s darkness night, eventually turned around to become his brightest day. It has been said that the day of your greatest victory will be preceded by the night of your greatest temptation. Indeed every disappointment can be a blessing, and every challenge can become the seed of a positive change. 

Psalm 30:11 says ‘Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.’

When you faithfully serve God and hold on to Him in difficult times, God will always reward you double for your trouble. He will ensure your labor is never in vain. And though, sometimes weeping may seem to endure for the night, just hold on, because joy is coming in the morning. 

The truth is that the road to greatness is never easy.  It is often filled with obstacles. But then, road blockers are often indication of important destinations. God is taking you to somewhere great, that is why the enemy has been fighting so hard to block your progress. But refuse to quit. Keep pressing on by God’s grace, victory is in view. Don’t allow what you are going through to stop you from where you are going to. Your destination is glory. The challenges you face are only indications of the great glory that is about to be revealed. 

Romans 8:18 says ‘For we reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us’ 

God is working through your story to bring forth His glory.  This is why we must always maintain an attitude of gratitude to God. Our living is determined not so much by what life brings to us, as by the attitude we bring to life.  And an attitude of gratitude will always lift us to a higher altitude. We should use God’s strategy to deal with life’s tragedy. And God’s strategy is for us to give thanks in everything. When we praise, we are raised.

We have to learn to always judge God faithful. He is indeed good. And no matter what may come your way, always know that God is in perfect control of your destiny. He alone has the final say. And even if it looks dark and there seems to be no way out, God will always make a way for you. He is your way maker, He is your light in the darkness. You may not understand how He will do it, but just keep trusting Him. And you will find that despite the initial roaring of the storm, you will come through victorious. Indeed  in all situations you are more than a conqueror through Christ.

No matter how tangled  or confusing your situation may look right now, God will cause the lines to fall for you in pleasant places.  And this is why we praise Him. Let us therefore today, turn our worry into worship and then watch God turn our battles into blessings.. 

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to praise you despite any situation I may face. I know that even right now You are working it all out for my good, therefore let nothing ever stop the continual flow of your praise from my lips in Jesus Name.   

QUOTE 

Praise always guarantees you power for a raise, learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK REJOICE]