Contend with Thanksgiving

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men (Psalm 107:31)

Sometimes the wind can be knocked right out of our sails. Or deepest desires can fall right out the bottom of our lives. With no real warning. Just bam! Calamity and misfortune is handed with no rescue jacket in sight... It seems.

This is when we must dig our hills in and remember the character and promises of God. We must lean on His Word. David said, "Though a host may encamp around me, my heart shall not fear." Jeremiah prophesied, "His thoughts towards us are for peace and not evil." Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers us out of every one. He's a good shepherd and a good Father! If we ask for bread, He won't give us a stone. Understanding His good character, helps us navigate through the lies of the enemy. Because rest assured if you're down, the devil is up to something. 

Praise God, that the devil can't just have his way with us. The Lord approves everything that comes in and out of our lives. If He allowed it, it has a greater purpose than we may seem to understand at first sight. He is the potter and we are the clay, we are formed and fashioned throughout life's triumphs and difficulties. Hindsight of every calamity, we see how it builds our faith and strengthens our relationship with God. It gives us an opportunity to see the Lord's faithfulness and goodness in a multitude of situations. David said, it was GOOD that he was afflicted! And we will too!

There are many blessings to life's scars and bruises. The battles teach our hands to war in the Spirit, as we become soldiers for the Kingdom of Light. Life lessons give wisdom that can't just be read in a book. Going through fiery trials also purifies us. Fire has a way to get the dross off of gold like nothing else. Our hearts are often softened during trials and tribulation. Our crooked ways are made straight during struggles. Our Father made a covenant to take out our Stony hearts and replace them with a hearts of flesh, that we make walk in His statutes. This is a process. Even His son Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered.

We must still praise God! We must still love and serve Him. Did you know we can send confusion into the enemy's camp by worshipping in the midst of the battle!? After hearing the word of the Lord, King Jehoshaphat had singers to go before the army of Judah (which means praise) to worship. As they sang, "Praise God, for He is good and His Mercy endures forever!" The Lord sent angels to set ambushments against the enemy's camp and they all turned and killed one another! The people of God didn't even have to fight! Stand still and worship God! Don't fret, don't look at the situation and get depressed! Praise your God! For He alone is good! And His Mercy endures forever! Let the enemy know like our brothers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! We will not bow to you! We will only worship the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel! Him alone will we serve! And God did not leave them alone in that fire! Our Lord was the "4th man" in the fire! Their clothes were not burned, not a hair on their head was singed, and get this... They didn't even smell like smoke!! God is faithful and worthy to be praised!!

Contend for your promises and praise your God!!

And since we take on the name of JESUS, it makes known His name to the adversary! The enemy will know that our God reigns supreme at the end of every plight!