In Psalm 42 today we see an example of how to encourage ourselves in the Lord, just like the Bible says David did in 1 Samuel 30:6. First we're told to hunger and thirst for the presence of God just like the deer hunts down water! Make spending time in His presence your #1 priority and EVERY DAY will be a good, God day! Will we still have tests and trials? Absolutely! Just read 2 Timothy 3:12! But look back at verse 11 and see that God WILL deliver you out of them all! In Psalm 42 we see the Psalmist speaking to himself and speaking to God. He mentions a worry or fearful thought, then reminds himself of what God has done and Who He is! The Psalm ends with this in verse 11:
11Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
Remind yourself of Who God is and who YOU are in Him whenever you are faced with tough situations! Encourage YOURSELF in the Lord and keep your joy stirred up! Remember that the joy of the Lord IS your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)
In Acts we see Paul and Barnabas preaching the Gospel and ministering in the area of present day Turkey. The Holy Spirit is continuing to work through them, confirming the Word preached with signs, wonders and miracles! Verse 3:
3So [Paul and Barnabas] stayed on there for a long time, speaking freely and fearlessly and boldly in the Lord, Who continued to bear testimony to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be performed by their hands.
They continued to preach and people were saved. The devil continued to harass them by working through people to come against them, but nothing can stop the Gospel from accomplishing what it is meant to accomplish when God's people are bold to preach it! Notice in verse 26-27 how they returned to the church that had sent them out with the glory report of all that God had done!
26And from there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had [first] been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had [now] completed.
27Arriving there, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had accomplished with them and how He had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom we obtain salvation in the kingdom of God].
That's what we are supposed to be doing as believers! Sharing the Gospel when we're in the world, and then returning to Church to get built back up and share the Good News of all that God is doing to encourage your brothers and sisters in Jesus to do the same! I LOVE my church!
In Genesis Joseph is just getting ready to reveal who he is to his brothers! He has taken a lot of trouble to set things up, but still hasn't let on who he is! I don't know exactly why he's being so elaborate about it, but stay tuned tomorrow! The Word of God is SO interesting! I never get bored with it. I learn something new every day! I hope you do, too!
Shalom in Him!
