According to 1 Kings 3:9, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he desired. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. But instead of getting better, her condition worsened. Naomi and Ruth: Trusting God when you feel alone, 9. I had failed all the previous examinations and was not confident things could change. How do you respond when given the chance to step up? Eve. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future. It would be safe to say this is not how David pictured his journey toward becoming the king of Israel. This is the kind of friend God is to us (Psalm 103:8 VOICE), and the kind of friend we should be for each other. Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain, 5. These Bible stories about trusting God will inspire you to overcome circumstances and inspire your faith to believe. Once he heard his brother Esau was coming to meet him, he got afraid. David David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. It doesnt feel so miraculous when hes busy rearranging my entire life. When I get overwhelmed or worn out I want to quit, thinking about others I care about my friends, my family, my neighborhood, helps me to keep going. Brittany and her husband Ryan make their home in the Rocky Mountains, pursuing outdoor adventures, great food, and memorable stories together. Though our circumstances change our destiny does not (Ephesians 1:11). People from all over the region rushed to him and pressed against him. They shared about how they were able to trust in God and His Word even through their grief. Have you been denied something youve longed for a long time? I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Ecclesiastes 9:11 teaches us that time and chance happen to us allin other words, everyone will, at some point or another, experience some adversity. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Many of us struggle with the restrictions on our freedoms during this COVID-19 pandemic. She refused initially, as speaking up would mean risking the death penalty. Some may be struggling with an exam season, others may be going through a painful breakup. From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won. [29] Please tell me your name, Jacob said. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyones chains came loose. [12] But you promised me, I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore too many to count.. Scriptures to Show How Important Grandparents Are. How do you handle adversity? "Praising God isn't an option, it's a necessity." "The deepest level of worship is praising God inspite of pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant." Rick Warren What does it mean to praise the Lord? 1. Its been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us feeling frustrated and forgotten. How did I get myself here?. When the struggles begin to close in, you may find yourself without the words to pray, unable to find those words of prayer and praise. But the basis of our faith for this praise is Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to them that love God." Here are 47 bible verses about praising God in hard times. Oftentimes I harden to my pain by minimizing and hiding it. Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. in a linen ephod, he began to dance before the LORD with great enthusiasm. Hebrews 13:15. This is an example worth emulating; we should all try our best to serve God in any situation. Here are four inspiring stories about finding faith and joy during trialseverything from job loss and unemployment to parenting issues and life-threatening illnesses. What can we learn from the Bibles imperfect fathers? Among these stories, those of Grateful Men. I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Hannah was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah; Hannah was barren but the other wife had many children. Be honest with yourself, God, and friends. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego respectfully declined. Watch: 3 Examples of Trusting God When Times Are Hard. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. His connection to God deepens during difficulties. For this, God rebukes David, through his prophet, and punishes him, however, David wholeheartedly turned to God who forgave him. She loved and believed in her, so nothing Naomi could have done would push her away. But we can learn from David that our destiny was not determined by difficult moments. It broke all the chains and opened the doors of the prisoners! If youre going through a hard time, are you relying on God and friends, or are you pushing them away? It helps to remember an important quality of Jesus that he is always with us. From this I must conclude that worship is not a feeling. When we read that David was a king, anyone. David embraced difficult times because he believed his future was in the hands of a God that loved him. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. In the good and the bad, in the ups and downs, our natural response must be gratitude. Later, in the midst of Jobs suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome, 8. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. If you see a friend going through a hard time, are you allowing them to push you away, or are you choosing to stick by them and love them no matter what? I will exalt you, Lord,for you lifted me out of the depthsand did not let my enemies gloat over me.Lord my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me.You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;you spared me from going down to the pit.Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;praise his holy name. I have hope, he is faithful to help, and he is my God! He worshiped after the death of his son. Someone in the Bible who understands this dilemma is Esther. Hearing this, I realised that even though we may never understand why bad things happen, trusting in God helps us to move forward in the best way possible. vv. Throughout his life, Jacob was used to dealing with his problems by running away from them. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. David ran into the wildness to escape and during this time, he had opportunities to kill Saul. And who knows? It becomes a kind of personal battle cry. David was the last of his brothers, in a large family where all were strong and courageous men of war, except him, who was a shepherd boy. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1. He is near to the brokenhearted ( Psalm 34:18 ). He never changes. (4) We can be thankful in difficult times . Praising God in hard times requires faith. Later, in the midst of Job's suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. The only way God can use everything in our lives to glorify Him and bring us to salvation is if God is sovereign, which means He must be and is in control of everything. There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. These general principles do not change with time, place, or circumstances. This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team. Praises renew our spirit and strengthen us in difficult times because difficult times will pass which is given to strengthen us in faith. She had visited many doctors and had spent all she had on treatments. Yet because of her confident faith in Jesus, she was able to ignore the pain for a moment and ultimately take the risk that changed everything. Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.The Sovereign Lord is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights. He is faithful and true. Psalm 149:6, NIV May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, Psalm 59:16-17, ESV I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Anyone in the presence of the slaves of his officials! My maids and I will join you in this time. There was a time in primary school when I was bullied by several classmates. Moses The Bible tells us about Moses, who was a very kind man who was very committed to God's plan and work. The jailer then took Paul to his home to wash his wounds. When Im having a hard time, my first instinct is to isolate, doubt, and question Gods care for me. No matter what season David found himself in, he always had the perspective of praise. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Even though I knew it was wrong, I compromised to save myself, and regret that decision to this day. And you can find strength, comfort and guidance in the Lord during these challenging times. He had everything that anyone living in that time would want - a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. For me, bad news is usually followed by worst-case scenario thinking and suddenly being overtaken by torrents of anxiety and feelings of helplessness. Put your hope in God, With all that we want to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis we can end up worn out, disappointed, and never feeling like weve finished anything. The main message from all of the lessons taught by these Bible figures is that everything is possible with God (Matthew 15:26). They had faith that God would save them because they trusted God would take care of them. 2. When given the opportunity to step up and lead, Esther said, No way!. But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortressand a refuge in the day of my distress.O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,for you, O God, are my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love. When we read that David was a king, anyonemight think that it would be very easy for him to be grateful to God. Secondly, Zechariah and Elizabeth lived by faith with the conviction that God loved them and wanted to bless them. Through Song. [23] After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. Miriam Miriam, the older sister of Moses and Aaron, gave thanks to God while playing her tambourine and dancing with joy with the other women whom God saved from the Egyptians after they crossed over the Red Sea ( Exod. Isaiah was chosen by God to deliver an important message to the Israelites. I think part of the reason Isaiahs faith stayed strong despite bad news was because he was honest about his doubt and frustration and he believed deeply in Gods purpose. What are you carrying that at first might have seemed a bit fearful but you can now be thankful for? Lift these difficulties up to God in prayer. There is no greater joy than seeing Gods destiny rise above our circumstances. What Is the Difference Between Prophetic Words and the Word of God? They were free at last! We. By submitting, I accept The Lifes Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Even though Naomi tried to push both her daughters-in-law away, Ruth refused to be shut out. These characters are the following: 1. They were not motivated by their own success or glory when they refused to bow down, but rather by the fact that God would be glorified through the result of either their sacrifice or their triumph. Mordecai, Esthers cousin, pleaded for her to talk to the King. Psalm 51: The Prayer of a Repentant Sinner bible study, The bearers of the Ark had scarcely advanced six steps, when David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? Esther didnt stop being afraid. During a time when her people were in exile, Esther had every reason to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and just try to get by. His road was not always smooth. We feel as if we are in an impossible situation, just for God to show us how powerful he is. She was motivated to serve no matter what the demands were because she cared about the people. When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. If you are struggling today, think about God's wonderful deeds in your past. Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. In Psalm 34, David reminds us that we should praise God through the good times and bad. But Thanksgiving is more than a day or a month. Jesus set a remarkable example for us in many ways but one was in thanksgiving. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. The Psalmist is full of longing to be in God's House. Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? 1. God set up His people for an incredible future of redemption and hope. No matter how many tactics Naomi used to keep her at a distance, Ruth stood her ground. There honestly isnt a lot of information about her but her mark in the Bible is significant. But Esther replied: All the kings officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. But Mary, the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus, would exemplify great praise. But because she didnt take this doubt and pain to pour out her heart to God, she became bitter about the pain in her life, and was unable to see that she wasnt alone she had Ruth. When David returned to bless her family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came, How distinguished the king of Israel has been seen today, undressing like a. Turn your eyes to him and allow him to surround you with his love and strength. Solomon requested an understanding mind to enable him to govern the people fairly and to judge the kingdom righteously, with discernment between good and evil. So what did Moses do? In fact, there are so many that it was hard to narrow down the list. Jesus response was never to panic or run to people, but to turn to the Father. Everyone goes through difficult times. Imagine being one of the Israelites who walked through the Red Sea and saw Pharaohs army destroyed. Faith in God brings comfort and cheer, even in the midst of stress and crushing difficulties. Thankfully, we can always turn to Gods word for guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods. "Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; They will be (Be Still) singing Your praises all the day long. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. In preparation for my audience with the king, do this: gather together all the Jews in Susa, and fast and pray for me. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Hannah prayed that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to Him. Praise, Examples Of. Have you found yourself slipping into the dark shadows? Among these stories, those of Grateful Men in the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. If their situation did not change, they would all perish. And I will lower myself even more until I completely humble myself. Who is someone that you could reach out and help this week? He chose to turn to God, but this decision wasnt an easy one. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Bible or word of God is full of wonderful stories and life lessons whose purpose is to bring us closer to a living God who is a rewarder of those who seek him. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace. In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. In Mark 5, we find a scene that is prevalent throughout the gospels: a large crowd has gathered around Jesus. Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you.I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands. Read More, FREE PRAYER CARDS: Deepen Your Prayers with 16 Ways to Pray. Even when Naomi was bitter and mean, Ruth stuck by her side. We wonder if we will ever emerge from todays trying situation with our joy intact. They are an example of people who understood longing unfulfilled the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why. He was the hero who defeated Goliath, successful in war and had the love of the people. ; Isaiah is inspiring because he doesnt hold back with God, he expresses his deep pain and how hard it is to hear and see Him in the midst of it all. They trusted God completely. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. What hit home for you in this article? Putting our faith in God meant we were not going to quit, but rather continue to learn and grow and change what we needed to change. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and . We can still praise him for the Cross and the Resurrection. He was God and didnt have to give thanks for anything, but he often did. Heres another Bible character who God journeyed with through tough times. Its been 30 days since the king last summoned me! Job When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of - and rightly so. Check out these 5 Bible characters that faced many failures, but still came out successful next to Jesus. These cookies do not store any personal information. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, We can draw near to him by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on his goodness and speaking well of him. Since God knows and is working everything out according to His plan and purpose, we can praise and thank God even in difficult times. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). What is your motive in wanting your desired outcome? Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this.. So I will continue dancing in the presence of the. Where is God when it really hurts? What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. out to meet him and reproached him: How distinguished the king of Israel has been seen today, undressing like a Only one returned to Jesus to thank him. As the story of David and our experience with our oldest illustrate, Gods destiny for our lives does not change because of our circumstances. my Savior and my God. Do you see any ways you push away relationships in your life? I wouldnt be so overwhelmed with the busy schedule of my life, but would believe that I can handle it because God is on my side. Deepen and inspire your prayers with the Pray Deep Prayer Cards! So let us all trust in God and turn to Him. We can trust in Gods wisdom even when we do not understand we should remember to turn to God for help. When we experience periods of waiting, we can have hope by remembering Gods faithfulness and choosing to live by faith ourselves. I will also praise you with the harpfor your faithfulness, O my God;I will sing praises to you with the lyre,O Holy One of Israel.My lips will shout for joy,when I sing praises to you;my soul also, which you have redeemed.And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,for they have been put to shame and disappointedwho sought to do me hurt. We can enjoy Davids grateful heart in the book of psalms, where this man inspired by God knew how to pour out his heart before the omnipotent God through the most beautiful words and poems. They can happen even when we are surrounded by comfort. When I dont have the words to pray, I turn to Bible verses about praising God and use those to pray through Gods Word. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We have a perfect example of righteous living from Jesus and one thing he shows us is the position of praise and thanksgiving. None of us are exempt from facing difficulties in life. He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt, and he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do exactly what he had run away from. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered unclean according to the laws and traditions of the time. I cannot see because Im deep in the fog of depression. King David in the list of Grateful Men in the Bible. in the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. But he refused, believing it was not right to kill Saul, who had been anointed by God. Anyone in the presence of the slaves of his officials! 14 Dressed only 6. But even though God is love, and He loves every one of His children, He leads us . Get your FREE set of printable prayer cards outlining 16 different ways to pray today! She was a new queen who lived comfortably with the love of the king. We might not have the title Deborah did, but life demands a lot from us each day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, kids, and health. They had the desire to stay righteous while they waited for their longings to be fulfilled. They won the battle without a sword even being drawn. We can learn a thing or two from that kind of attitude. We can act without fear or compromise, serving Him through every moment in our lives. In his darkest moments, David was still worshipping God. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you? So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. Ill be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of lifes storms and challenges. This experience can occur in our lives from time to time. Hopelessness, confusion, anger, depression? Her websitebrittanyrust.comaims to supply encouraging resources for the world-wearied believer. Living through a stormy season? We wont spam you. But the part that is most astonishing is their focus on God even if He didnt save them from the flames. Wish you could take to heart these Bible verses about praising God in the storm? any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, which is the people of the LORD. Only one! Instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he understood the workings of the complex universe like He does. Now my household fills two large camps! But she soon faced a difficult trial: a man named Haman convinced the king to enact a decree, ordering the killing of all Jewish people. So amid cheers and to the sound of rams horns, David and all the people All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by lifes circumstances. Here is a lesson we can learn from Job: we can trust in Gods wisdom even when we do not understand. People hang banners across their mantles proclaiming give thanks and others share on Facebook something they are grateful for each day in November. Praising God facilitates the necessary help to conquer and be triumphant over difficult times and moments. Though she was fearful, Esther took action and saved the Jewish people in the end. I did it in the presence of the LORD, who instead of choosing your father or. Why, my soul, are you downcast? The excuse Esther gave was valid she could die! When we go through difficulties and hardships, we must examine and strengthen our faith, because it gives us the strength we need to persevere. While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. Then Deborah said to Barak, Go! I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it, 7. We do not have to be in harsh environments like a desert to encounter difficult times. 5-6, 11. Stop and give incredible thanks for all God has and is doing in your life! He had everything that anyone living in that time would want a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. In these moments, our fear of failure, rejection, and humiliation are very real, and so is the dilemma of choosing to either face that fear or freeze up or run away. David was anointed King of Israel, was hailed a hero for conquering Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the kings daughter he had it all going for him. He could have given up on God altogether, but decided to keep serving God despite his unfulfilled longing. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Want to explore further how God is by your side through it all? Someone from the Bible who faced similar difficulties is Paul, who lost his freedom and was imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. . Use these timeless Bible verses about praising God in your prayers until your heart can find its own words. Plus, get a set of printable prayer and scripture cards, including these 20 Bible verses for praising God in hard times. I get stuck wanting my own way that I miss what God is doing and the doors He is opening. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, Can this be Naomi? [20] Dont call me Naomi, she told them. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for him. David replied: I did it in the presence of the LORD, who instead of choosing your father or The book The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out by Robert Morgan does a fantastic job breaking down this moment between God, Moses, and the Israelites. How Should Christians Respond to Feeling Stuck in Life? Ultimately, its the Lord who heals the distressed soul. But Mordecai wanted to help her see that the impact she was capable of having was greater than the risk. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! The angel showed up to Zechariah with good news while Zechariah was serving God has a priest. How Do We Know What God's Best for Us Is? Jumping and dancing before the LORD, she felt for him a deep contempt. Sign up below for your FREE Printable Prayer Cards: Hi, I'm Kathryn! Deepen and inspire your prayers with 16 ways to pray! True joy and peace dont originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of Gods grace. Even though it would have been safer to prioritise himself and stay quiet, Paul focused on bringing people to God even while imprisoned. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. He stole Esaus birthright (Genesis 25:27-32 NLT) and deceived their father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau (Genesis 27:14-27,30-38,41 NLT). But with the encouragement of friends and prayer we had to decide whether our faith was going to be in our circumstances or in God. We can praise God even during hard times because God has shown mercy to us. If you stay silent during this time, deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and all of your fathers family will die. David knows that he can sing to the Lord because God is the rock of our salvation. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. If we cant praise him for our circumstances, we can praise him in spite of them. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions cant confirm it. The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God.
bible characters who praised god in hard times
According to 1 Kings 3:9, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he desired. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. But instead of getting better, her condition worsened. Naomi and Ruth: Trusting God when you feel alone, 9. I had failed all the previous examinations and was not confident things could change. How do you respond when given the chance to step up? Eve. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future. It would be safe to say this is not how David pictured his journey toward becoming the king of Israel. This is the kind of friend God is to us (Psalm 103:8 VOICE), and the kind of friend we should be for each other. Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain, 5. These Bible stories about trusting God will inspire you to overcome circumstances and inspire your faith to believe. Once he heard his brother Esau was coming to meet him, he got afraid. David David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. It doesnt feel so miraculous when hes busy rearranging my entire life. When I get overwhelmed or worn out I want to quit, thinking about others I care about my friends, my family, my neighborhood, helps me to keep going. Brittany and her husband Ryan make their home in the Rocky Mountains, pursuing outdoor adventures, great food, and memorable stories together. Though our circumstances change our destiny does not (Ephesians 1:11). People from all over the region rushed to him and pressed against him. They shared about how they were able to trust in God and His Word even through their grief. Have you been denied something youve longed for a long time? I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Ecclesiastes 9:11 teaches us that time and chance happen to us allin other words, everyone will, at some point or another, experience some adversity. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Many of us struggle with the restrictions on our freedoms during this COVID-19 pandemic. She refused initially, as speaking up would mean risking the death penalty. Some may be struggling with an exam season, others may be going through a painful breakup. From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won. [29] Please tell me your name, Jacob said. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyones chains came loose. [12] But you promised me, I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore too many to count.. Scriptures to Show How Important Grandparents Are. How do you handle adversity? "Praising God isn't an option, it's a necessity." "The deepest level of worship is praising God inspite of pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant." Rick Warren What does it mean to praise the Lord? 1. Its been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us feeling frustrated and forgotten. How did I get myself here?. When the struggles begin to close in, you may find yourself without the words to pray, unable to find those words of prayer and praise. But the basis of our faith for this praise is Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to them that love God." Here are 47 bible verses about praising God in hard times. Oftentimes I harden to my pain by minimizing and hiding it. Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. in a linen ephod, he began to dance before the LORD with great enthusiasm. Hebrews 13:15. This is an example worth emulating; we should all try our best to serve God in any situation. Here are four inspiring stories about finding faith and joy during trialseverything from job loss and unemployment to parenting issues and life-threatening illnesses. What can we learn from the Bibles imperfect fathers? Among these stories, those of Grateful Men. I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Hannah was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah; Hannah was barren but the other wife had many children. Be honest with yourself, God, and friends. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego respectfully declined. Watch: 3 Examples of Trusting God When Times Are Hard. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. His connection to God deepens during difficulties. For this, God rebukes David, through his prophet, and punishes him, however, David wholeheartedly turned to God who forgave him. She loved and believed in her, so nothing Naomi could have done would push her away. But we can learn from David that our destiny was not determined by difficult moments. It broke all the chains and opened the doors of the prisoners! If youre going through a hard time, are you relying on God and friends, or are you pushing them away? It helps to remember an important quality of Jesus that he is always with us. From this I must conclude that worship is not a feeling. When we read that David was a king, anyone. David embraced difficult times because he believed his future was in the hands of a God that loved him. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. In the good and the bad, in the ups and downs, our natural response must be gratitude. Later, in the midst of Jobs suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome, 8. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. If you see a friend going through a hard time, are you allowing them to push you away, or are you choosing to stick by them and love them no matter what? I will exalt you, Lord,for you lifted me out of the depthsand did not let my enemies gloat over me.Lord my God, I called to you for help,and you healed me.You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;you spared me from going down to the pit.Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;praise his holy name. I have hope, he is faithful to help, and he is my God! He worshiped after the death of his son. Someone in the Bible who understands this dilemma is Esther. Hearing this, I realised that even though we may never understand why bad things happen, trusting in God helps us to move forward in the best way possible. vv. Throughout his life, Jacob was used to dealing with his problems by running away from them. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. David ran into the wildness to escape and during this time, he had opportunities to kill Saul. And who knows? It becomes a kind of personal battle cry. David was the last of his brothers, in a large family where all were strong and courageous men of war, except him, who was a shepherd boy. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 1. He is near to the brokenhearted ( Psalm 34:18 ). He never changes. (4) We can be thankful in difficult times . Praising God in hard times requires faith. Later, in the midst of Job's suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. The only way God can use everything in our lives to glorify Him and bring us to salvation is if God is sovereign, which means He must be and is in control of everything. There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. These general principles do not change with time, place, or circumstances. This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team. Praises renew our spirit and strengthen us in difficult times because difficult times will pass which is given to strengthen us in faith. She had visited many doctors and had spent all she had on treatments. Yet because of her confident faith in Jesus, she was able to ignore the pain for a moment and ultimately take the risk that changed everything. Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.The Sovereign Lord is my strength;he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights. He is faithful and true. Psalm 149:6, NIV May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, Psalm 59:16-17, ESV I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Anyone in the presence of the slaves of his officials! My maids and I will join you in this time. There was a time in primary school when I was bullied by several classmates. Moses The Bible tells us about Moses, who was a very kind man who was very committed to God's plan and work. The jailer then took Paul to his home to wash his wounds. When Im having a hard time, my first instinct is to isolate, doubt, and question Gods care for me. No matter what season David found himself in, he always had the perspective of praise. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Even though I knew it was wrong, I compromised to save myself, and regret that decision to this day. And you can find strength, comfort and guidance in the Lord during these challenging times. He had everything that anyone living in that time would want - a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. For me, bad news is usually followed by worst-case scenario thinking and suddenly being overtaken by torrents of anxiety and feelings of helplessness. Put your hope in God, With all that we want to accomplish on a weekly and daily basis we can end up worn out, disappointed, and never feeling like weve finished anything. The main message from all of the lessons taught by these Bible figures is that everything is possible with God (Matthew 15:26). They had faith that God would save them because they trusted God would take care of them. 2. When given the opportunity to step up and lead, Esther said, No way!. But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortressand a refuge in the day of my distress.O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,for you, O God, are my fortress,the God who shows me steadfast love. When we read that David was a king, anyonemight think that it would be very easy for him to be grateful to God. Secondly, Zechariah and Elizabeth lived by faith with the conviction that God loved them and wanted to bless them. Through Song. [23] After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. Miriam Miriam, the older sister of Moses and Aaron, gave thanks to God while playing her tambourine and dancing with joy with the other women whom God saved from the Egyptians after they crossed over the Red Sea ( Exod. Isaiah was chosen by God to deliver an important message to the Israelites. I think part of the reason Isaiahs faith stayed strong despite bad news was because he was honest about his doubt and frustration and he believed deeply in Gods purpose. What are you carrying that at first might have seemed a bit fearful but you can now be thankful for? Lift these difficulties up to God in prayer. There is no greater joy than seeing Gods destiny rise above our circumstances. What Is the Difference Between Prophetic Words and the Word of God? They were free at last! We. By submitting, I accept The Lifes Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Even though Naomi tried to push both her daughters-in-law away, Ruth refused to be shut out. These characters are the following: 1. They were not motivated by their own success or glory when they refused to bow down, but rather by the fact that God would be glorified through the result of either their sacrifice or their triumph. Mordecai, Esthers cousin, pleaded for her to talk to the King. Psalm 51: The Prayer of a Repentant Sinner bible study, The bearers of the Ark had scarcely advanced six steps, when David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? Esther didnt stop being afraid. During a time when her people were in exile, Esther had every reason to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and just try to get by. His road was not always smooth. We feel as if we are in an impossible situation, just for God to show us how powerful he is. She was motivated to serve no matter what the demands were because she cared about the people. When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. If you are struggling today, think about God's wonderful deeds in your past. Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. In Psalm 34, David reminds us that we should praise God through the good times and bad. But Thanksgiving is more than a day or a month. Jesus set a remarkable example for us in many ways but one was in thanksgiving. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praisethe fruit of lips that openly profess his name. The Psalmist is full of longing to be in God's House. Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? 1. God set up His people for an incredible future of redemption and hope. No matter how many tactics Naomi used to keep her at a distance, Ruth stood her ground. There honestly isnt a lot of information about her but her mark in the Bible is significant. But Esther replied: All the kings officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold sceptre to them and spares their lives. But Mary, the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus, would exemplify great praise. But because she didnt take this doubt and pain to pour out her heart to God, she became bitter about the pain in her life, and was unable to see that she wasnt alone she had Ruth. When David returned to bless her family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came, How distinguished the king of Israel has been seen today, undressing like a. Turn your eyes to him and allow him to surround you with his love and strength. Solomon requested an understanding mind to enable him to govern the people fairly and to judge the kingdom righteously, with discernment between good and evil. So what did Moses do? In fact, there are so many that it was hard to narrow down the list. Jesus response was never to panic or run to people, but to turn to the Father. Everyone goes through difficult times. Imagine being one of the Israelites who walked through the Red Sea and saw Pharaohs army destroyed. Faith in God brings comfort and cheer, even in the midst of stress and crushing difficulties. Thankfully, we can always turn to Gods word for guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods. "Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; They will be (Be Still) singing Your praises all the day long. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. In preparation for my audience with the king, do this: gather together all the Jews in Susa, and fast and pray for me. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Hannah prayed that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to Him. Praise, Examples Of. Have you found yourself slipping into the dark shadows? Among these stories, those of Grateful Men in the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. If their situation did not change, they would all perish. And I will lower myself even more until I completely humble myself. Who is someone that you could reach out and help this week? He chose to turn to God, but this decision wasnt an easy one. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Bible or word of God is full of wonderful stories and life lessons whose purpose is to bring us closer to a living God who is a rewarder of those who seek him. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace. In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. In Mark 5, we find a scene that is prevalent throughout the gospels: a large crowd has gathered around Jesus. Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you.I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands. Read More, FREE PRAYER CARDS: Deepen Your Prayers with 16 Ways to Pray. Even when Naomi was bitter and mean, Ruth stuck by her side. We wonder if we will ever emerge from todays trying situation with our joy intact. They are an example of people who understood longing unfulfilled the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why. He was the hero who defeated Goliath, successful in war and had the love of the people. ; Isaiah is inspiring because he doesnt hold back with God, he expresses his deep pain and how hard it is to hear and see Him in the midst of it all. They trusted God completely. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. What hit home for you in this article? Putting our faith in God meant we were not going to quit, but rather continue to learn and grow and change what we needed to change. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and . We can still praise him for the Cross and the Resurrection. He was God and didnt have to give thanks for anything, but he often did. Heres another Bible character who God journeyed with through tough times. Its been 30 days since the king last summoned me! Job When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of - and rightly so. Check out these 5 Bible characters that faced many failures, but still came out successful next to Jesus. These cookies do not store any personal information. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, We can draw near to him by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on his goodness and speaking well of him. Since God knows and is working everything out according to His plan and purpose, we can praise and thank God even in difficult times. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). What is your motive in wanting your desired outcome? Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this.. So I will continue dancing in the presence of the. Where is God when it really hurts? What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. out to meet him and reproached him: How distinguished the king of Israel has been seen today, undressing like a Only one returned to Jesus to thank him. As the story of David and our experience with our oldest illustrate, Gods destiny for our lives does not change because of our circumstances. my Savior and my God. Do you see any ways you push away relationships in your life? I wouldnt be so overwhelmed with the busy schedule of my life, but would believe that I can handle it because God is on my side. Deepen and inspire your prayers with the Pray Deep Prayer Cards! So let us all trust in God and turn to Him. We can trust in Gods wisdom even when we do not understand we should remember to turn to God for help. When we experience periods of waiting, we can have hope by remembering Gods faithfulness and choosing to live by faith ourselves. I will also praise you with the harpfor your faithfulness, O my God;I will sing praises to you with the lyre,O Holy One of Israel.My lips will shout for joy,when I sing praises to you;my soul also, which you have redeemed.And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,for they have been put to shame and disappointedwho sought to do me hurt. We can enjoy Davids grateful heart in the book of psalms, where this man inspired by God knew how to pour out his heart before the omnipotent God through the most beautiful words and poems. They can happen even when we are surrounded by comfort. When I dont have the words to pray, I turn to Bible verses about praising God and use those to pray through Gods Word. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We have a perfect example of righteous living from Jesus and one thing he shows us is the position of praise and thanksgiving. None of us are exempt from facing difficulties in life. He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt, and he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do exactly what he had run away from. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered unclean according to the laws and traditions of the time. I cannot see because Im deep in the fog of depression. King David in the list of Grateful Men in the Bible. in the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. But he refused, believing it was not right to kill Saul, who had been anointed by God. Anyone in the presence of the slaves of his officials! 14 Dressed only 6. But even though God is love, and He loves every one of His children, He leads us . Get your FREE set of printable prayer cards outlining 16 different ways to pray today! She was a new queen who lived comfortably with the love of the king. We might not have the title Deborah did, but life demands a lot from us each day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, kids, and health. They had the desire to stay righteous while they waited for their longings to be fulfilled. They won the battle without a sword even being drawn. We can learn a thing or two from that kind of attitude. We can act without fear or compromise, serving Him through every moment in our lives. In his darkest moments, David was still worshipping God. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you? So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. Ill be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of lifes storms and challenges. This experience can occur in our lives from time to time. Hopelessness, confusion, anger, depression? Her websitebrittanyrust.comaims to supply encouraging resources for the world-wearied believer. Living through a stormy season? We wont spam you. But the part that is most astonishing is their focus on God even if He didnt save them from the flames. Wish you could take to heart these Bible verses about praising God in the storm? any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, which is the people of the LORD. Only one! Instead of answering his question, God asked Job if he understood the workings of the complex universe like He does. Now my household fills two large camps! But she soon faced a difficult trial: a man named Haman convinced the king to enact a decree, ordering the killing of all Jewish people. So amid cheers and to the sound of rams horns, David and all the people All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by lifes circumstances. Here is a lesson we can learn from Job: we can trust in Gods wisdom even when we do not understand. People hang banners across their mantles proclaiming give thanks and others share on Facebook something they are grateful for each day in November. Praising God facilitates the necessary help to conquer and be triumphant over difficult times and moments. Though she was fearful, Esther took action and saved the Jewish people in the end. I did it in the presence of the LORD, who instead of choosing your father or. Why, my soul, are you downcast? The excuse Esther gave was valid she could die! When we go through difficulties and hardships, we must examine and strengthen our faith, because it gives us the strength we need to persevere. While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. Then Deborah said to Barak, Go! I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it, 7. We do not have to be in harsh environments like a desert to encounter difficult times. 5-6, 11. Stop and give incredible thanks for all God has and is doing in your life! He had everything that anyone living in that time would want a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. In these moments, our fear of failure, rejection, and humiliation are very real, and so is the dilemma of choosing to either face that fear or freeze up or run away. David was anointed King of Israel, was hailed a hero for conquering Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the kings daughter he had it all going for him. He could have given up on God altogether, but decided to keep serving God despite his unfulfilled longing. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Want to explore further how God is by your side through it all? Someone from the Bible who faced similar difficulties is Paul, who lost his freedom and was imprisoned multiple times throughout his ministry. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. . Use these timeless Bible verses about praising God in your prayers until your heart can find its own words. Plus, get a set of printable prayer and scripture cards, including these 20 Bible verses for praising God in hard times. I get stuck wanting my own way that I miss what God is doing and the doors He is opening. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, Can this be Naomi? [20] Dont call me Naomi, she told them. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for him. David replied: I did it in the presence of the LORD, who instead of choosing your father or The book The Red Sea Rules: The Same God Who Led You In Will Lead You Out by Robert Morgan does a fantastic job breaking down this moment between God, Moses, and the Israelites. How Should Christians Respond to Feeling Stuck in Life? Ultimately, its the Lord who heals the distressed soul. But Mordecai wanted to help her see that the impact she was capable of having was greater than the risk. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! The angel showed up to Zechariah with good news while Zechariah was serving God has a priest. How Do We Know What God's Best for Us Is? Jumping and dancing before the LORD, she felt for him a deep contempt. Sign up below for your FREE Printable Prayer Cards: Hi, I'm Kathryn! Deepen and inspire your prayers with 16 ways to pray! True joy and peace dont originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of Gods grace. Even though it would have been safer to prioritise himself and stay quiet, Paul focused on bringing people to God even while imprisoned. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. He stole Esaus birthright (Genesis 25:27-32 NLT) and deceived their father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau (Genesis 27:14-27,30-38,41 NLT). But with the encouragement of friends and prayer we had to decide whether our faith was going to be in our circumstances or in God. We can praise God even during hard times because God has shown mercy to us. If you stay silent during this time, deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and all of your fathers family will die. David knows that he can sing to the Lord because God is the rock of our salvation. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. If we cant praise him for our circumstances, we can praise him in spite of them. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions cant confirm it. The Bible has many great examples of individuals who journeyed through tough times with God by their side. Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God.
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