We Win

 

Can you believe the year? I thought certainly the Lord would have come by now; never would I have thought we would see this year. Here it is and here we are. What this year will bring each of us, of course, there is no way of knowing, divine revelation aside.

 

What's more, there is no way of preventing the trials and tribulations from coming. We can, however, determine how we will handle them and how they will affect us. I would like to give you a Scripture; I believe it will be a blessing to you throughout the entire year. Psalm 118:24 makes a statement that is a potent declaration for every believer and that will serve to see you through the days ahead.

 

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

This verse gives us a strategy for dealing with the trials and tribulations that will most certainly come our way. The first strategy is to recognize the Lord as the maker of the day and of the year. If you know the Lord, you know that He is merciful and gracious. You know He will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability to deal with the trial. You know that in every trial He is faithful to provide you a way to escape and to bear it. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, Rom. 8:28. I am confident that I will be kept safe under the shadow of the Almighty. Here's something to consider: as children growing up, mothers would daily prepare our meals. She would serve us meals based on what our bodies needed in order to be strong and healthy. Rarely were meals served based solely on what we liked. Well, God does the same; He gives us what will make us strong and spiritually healthy. A little of this and a little of that, God gives us.

 

The second strategy deals with the attitude. The psalmist says, "Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Rejoice is not a commonly used word in our everyday vernacular. However, the word means to feel joyful, be delighted. It also carries the idea of "to be cheerful or to cheer up". It is a decision to rejoice and to be glad. Get this point: The day will not control my emotions; rather I will control my emotions regarding the day. How often are we the victim of life's many troubles? It is time to be the "Victor."  Cheer up! Be optimistic!

 

The writer says rejoice and be glad in it. Strategy number three is "separate yourself from the trial." Here is the trial and this is me in it. The trial or misfortune does not dictate who you are nor does it determine your state or status with God. This bad thing is happening to me; therefore I must be bad; NO, sometimes, bad things just happen to good people, too. God has not abandoned you.  Nor allow your present trials to dictate your future.

 

This is going to be a great year. We are going to overcome many of the trials that before have been our Achilles' heel. We are taking control rather than being taken control. We are focused. Praise the Lord! Be blessed!

 

Yours in Christ,

Reverend Elwood Carlos Carson

Pastor