The Raw Reality
Scriptures: (Psalms 44:18,22 NKJ) Our heart has not turned back, Nor have our steps departed from Your way; (v. 22) Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
There are times when we experience trouble or is caught up in a web of despair. Then we are brought to a deep and sincere need to call on the Lord to send light (His light) and truth. His divine understanding that our God is worthy of our trust, and our praise. He is sovereign. I remember my past and rejoice in what You brought me through to this place. Like the Israelite families-nothing happened as a result of their strength. God gave them victory (V. 44:3) because God favored and loved them. Because of what God had done for them in the past, they trusted Him to provide continuing victory. They knew God to be faithful in planting them in the land, fighting their enemies, and in giving them what was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God is not only the God of victory but also the God of defeat. The Lord brought victory over Israel’s enemies and they experienced safety in the land of their inheritance, yet, as they continued to do good, defeat came , time and time again. The Lord seemed to have forsaken them. Some might have said, “He pulled the rug out from under us.” He permitted them to be slaughtered by the enemy and treated as worthless (Judges 2:14; 3:8; 4:2). The Israelites were sold as slaves, and even scattered among pagan nations (Ps. 44: 9-15). God can be glorified even in defeat (44:2). What looked like defeat, have turned out to be glorious victory. God permitted things to happen, so that He could carry out a purpose known only to Him.
(W. W.Wiersbee Commentary 2007) puts it plainly.” Because of God’s love and grace, Israel certainly won great victories over their enemies, yet not without meeting some defeats that greatly distressed them”. Surely the Lord (Jehovah) had enabled Israel to claim and occupy the land (44:3-8). As the Israelites sought to secure and protect their inheritance; it appeared that the Lord forsook or deserted them. Other nation taunted and ridiculed Israel in their defeat. Defeat did not mean that the Lord loved them any less. Israel’s enemies were given the opportunity to come to know the Lord, the God of heaven and earth. Through persecution of Jews, even Saul of Tarsus would come to know God almighty.
We need to come to a place where we can trust God to handle the defeats of our lives and turn them into victories. Defeat may be a real reality; nevertheless , it is a sovereign appointment. We can’t always explain the tragedies of life, especially for the Saints of God (Rom. 8:28). We might look as sheep for the slaughter, but God sees us as “more than conquers through Him who loves us” (Rom. 8:37).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have been my dwelling place for many years, and I trust You with my whole heart mind and soul. Today I mourn the loss of my eldest sister. Many prayers were prayed for victory over her sickness, instead you have turned my family’s tragedy into victory. To God be the glory, in You will I continue to put my trust. For You are faithful in good times, in difficult days and in many sleepless nights. What started out as a dark time in my family, has since changed to light. Jesus is the light of the world. In Christ Jesus. Amen
(by Novella D. Carpenter)
There are times when we experience trouble or is caught up in a web of despair. Then we are brought to a deep and sincere need to call on the Lord to send light (His light) and truth. His divine understanding that our God is worthy of our trust, and our praise. He is sovereign. I remember my past and rejoice in what You brought me through to this place. Like the Israelite families-nothing happened as a result of their strength. God gave them victory (V. 44:3) because God favored and loved them. Because of what God had done for them in the past, they trusted Him to provide continuing victory. They knew God to be faithful in planting them in the land, fighting their enemies, and in giving them what was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God is not only the God of victory but also the God of defeat. The Lord brought victory over Israel’s enemies and they experienced safety in the land of their inheritance, yet, as they continued to do good, defeat came , time and time again. The Lord seemed to have forsaken them. Some might have said, “He pulled the rug out from under us.” He permitted them to be slaughtered by the enemy and treated as worthless (Judges 2:14; 3:8; 4:2). The Israelites were sold as slaves, and even scattered among pagan nations (Ps. 44: 9-15). God can be glorified even in defeat (44:2). What looked like defeat, have turned out to be glorious victory. God permitted things to happen, so that He could carry out a purpose known only to Him.
(W. W.Wiersbee Commentary 2007) puts it plainly.” Because of God’s love and grace, Israel certainly won great victories over their enemies, yet not without meeting some defeats that greatly distressed them”. Surely the Lord (Jehovah) had enabled Israel to claim and occupy the land (44:3-8). As the Israelites sought to secure and protect their inheritance; it appeared that the Lord forsook or deserted them. Other nation taunted and ridiculed Israel in their defeat. Defeat did not mean that the Lord loved them any less. Israel’s enemies were given the opportunity to come to know the Lord, the God of heaven and earth. Through persecution of Jews, even Saul of Tarsus would come to know God almighty.
We need to come to a place where we can trust God to handle the defeats of our lives and turn them into victories. Defeat may be a real reality; nevertheless , it is a sovereign appointment. We can’t always explain the tragedies of life, especially for the Saints of God (Rom. 8:28). We might look as sheep for the slaughter, but God sees us as “more than conquers through Him who loves us” (Rom. 8:37).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have been my dwelling place for many years, and I trust You with my whole heart mind and soul. Today I mourn the loss of my eldest sister. Many prayers were prayed for victory over her sickness, instead you have turned my family’s tragedy into victory. To God be the glory, in You will I continue to put my trust. For You are faithful in good times, in difficult days and in many sleepless nights. What started out as a dark time in my family, has since changed to light. Jesus is the light of the world. In Christ Jesus. Amen
(by Novella D. Carpenter)
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
5 Comments
Amen.... Praise the LORD for the victory!
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!
Amen
A timely word of encouragement, Sis! Praise Him!
Hallelujah!