Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago, I asked my congregation to consider what, if anything, may be impeding their ability to completely trust God and, this month, I pose this question to you as well. For many of us, although we have a fervent desire to trust God, life has a way of presenting difficult trials and tribulations which can severely hinder our ability to completely trust God. In fact, totally trusting God can be a daily struggle especially when our current circumstances dictate something contrary to the word of God. For example, if you are suffering in your body, it makes no rational sense to declare that you are healed; or, if you are unable to make your mortgage payment this month, it seems insane to proclaim that the Lord your God shall provide all your needs.
As I recently shared with my KBCI family, there will be seasons in our lives when our present will wrestle with our future; in other words, sometimes, our current situation will be in direct contradiction to that which the Lord has spoken to us. It is during these times that our walk with Christ, and even our very sanity, will be tested. So, how will we handle this test? Will we succumb to the stresses of life and try to manufacture our own solutions to problems? Or, will we stand firm on God's promise DESPITE our current circumstance? My friends, though difficult, if we are to truly walk in victory, our trust in God must be unwavering and must stand the test of trials. Let me assure you that God has your very best interest at heart and quite honestly, our walk with God necessitates that we trust Him … not just in our words but, more importantly, in our deeds!
Building our trust in God and increasing our ability to endure life's trials is very similar to building a muscle in that the more you exercise (or use) the muscle, the stronger it becomes. Believe it or not, our strength is important to the Lord and the single most important strengthening tool available to us, as Christians, is our unbridled and undignified PRAISE. Praise, at times, is a very simple act but during times of pain, confusion, and even despondency, it can be very difficult. Yet, it is especially during these times, that our praise is the weapon of our warfare that will allow us to live, and not die, under the weight of our burdens. So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, do not sell yourself -- and your soul -- short; rather, like David, let us praise the Lord at all times, trusting Him fully and knowing that regardless the situation, His word is true.
May God Bless You Abundantly!
Pastor Darryl L. Grant