God Speaking

“To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me”

(Colossians 1: 29)

This last week, our whole family have been struggling with a problem involving a member of our extended family and I began to be overwhelmed with worrying about this situation and the effect it was having on some of our members. I felt powerless to help in any concrete way, then one morning during this week my husband opened our Bible study and read the heading for the day, “Praising Though Problems” I immediately realised the Lord was showing us exactly where we were to expend our energy, not on worrying, but praising!

The article was encouraging us to remember the powerful God we served and to praise his name and to remember all the other times we have felt his strength carrying us through other struggles.

Paul writes to the Colossians and is not ashamed to tell them that he calls upon the Lord’s energy (Colossians 1: 29) and allows that energy to work through him.

The following day, in our study, there was yet again another message from the Lord, the illustration was little Linus from the Peanuts comic, constantly walking around holding tightly to his security blanket and our writer reminded us that we too had a security blanket that we could use at any time we were struggling with problems. Our security blanket is the love, grace and mercy our Heavenly Father is always ready to wrap us in if we just call on his name. Peace began to settle upon me as I began to hand over my worries to him 

One of my favourite passages in the Bible about praising, is found in Isaiah 61 and several verses have been turned into a beautiful praise song, telling us not to dwell on what ever is dragging us down, but to put on the garment of praise and God himself will bestow it on us the oil of gladness

“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61: 3)

It is often hard to take that advice, but I have found that once I start, even though it may be reluctantly, it becomes easier as I repeat the powerful words, mainly from the Psalmists who knew who to turn to when disaster overtook them. One of my favourite praise passages comes from Psalm 16 and I love the strong stance David takes. It is hard not to be shaken when trouble arises in our lives, but the Lord can support us, so we will not be shaken.

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16: 7 – 8)