Daily Devotional

GOOD, BAD, RIGHT OR WRONG, PRAISE HIM

March 13

raising Child of the King, what do I mean by that title? I mean that the Child of the King must see himself/herself as a “praising person” in every aspect of their life and existence in the Lord. You ask the question, “How can I praise Him when things are going wrong for me?” Your Father answers by saying, “How can you not praise the King of Kings when things seem to be going wrong for you?” Are you a “fair weather” Christian? That is, do you become less than a child of the King when you have trouble than when things are going well? Consider your Father’s servant Job. Regardless of the near unbearable burdens brought upon him (and fully in the sight of God), Job refused to forsake his God. Look at his outcome “God (restored Job) and gave him twice what he had before.” (Job 42:10 NKJV) (Note from Dr. Jeffares: See the strong treatment on the declarations of Job to glorify his God in my book “God and the Problem of Evil: with God Evil is No Problem. Available at drdavidjeffares.com) You argue further, “What if I lose a child or an indescribable evil befalls me or my family, do I not then withhold my praise and blessings toward the God of Heaven?” Beloved why would you do that? Your praises release the presence, authority and power of the Holy Spirit to battle for you against evil and adversity! Again, beloved it is important that you come to this conclusion: “I do not serve the Lord just for what he can do for me. I serve Him because of who He is!” Do you believe that the Lord is good? Then, do you believe that He is good toward you always? If you do, then you will truly begin to understand the word which comes to you in power and blessing when the Bible states plainly that “all things work together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Now how can you argue against the fact that no matter what comes your way, the loving hand of your Father becomes extended toward you, your loved ones, and your circumstances to “work something good” out of everything that is happening and has happened to you? This is exactly what your Father is doing on your behalf. Now, have you withheld your praises from your Father because of unexplainable reversals or setbacks in your life? It is time that you activate your love, trust and faith in Him that He will restore all things to you, even those things which the Evil One has stolen from you! Here is one way of doing this: pray, “Father, in the name of Jesus, I am not going to cast judgments at you and blame you when difficulty and even tragedy comes my way. In the name of Jesus, I worship you now while I am during one of the most troubling times of my entire life (divorce, separation, betrayal, financial ruin, job loss, death of loved one). I have sinned by my childish behavior, and I praise you that I will rise and bless you right now, not just when the breakthrough comes! Now, I praise you, now I bless you, now I bring an offering of love and worship before your holy throne of majesty, in the name of Jesus!”

Prayer

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You have done it again Father. You have revealed to me that I must not, and will not be a “fair weather” servant of the Lord Jesus. I will “bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth!” (Psalm 34:1) This verse proclaims that “without interruption for any reason” I will praise the Lord. This I will do through the name and power of Jesus, my Lord, amen!