Biblical Reflections · Christian Life

Kindling and rekindling the fire of our praise amid adversity?

5 min read, approximately

Acts 16:22-25 (Adversity)
“The crowd rose up against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods. After beating them severely, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. Having received this order, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening.”

Putting things in context

We were all created to praise God

“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah.” (Psalms 150:6)

And we do so because

“Great is the Lord and greatly worthy of praise in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.” (Psalms 48:1)

“Lord, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power, for you created all things; by your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

Therefore it should be a joy

“Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and power. Give the Lord the honor due his name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations: The Lord reigns. He has established the world so that it will not be shaken; he will judge the peoples with justice.” (Psalms 96:7-10)

Yet when crisis, conflict, debt, death, or anything that takes us out of our peaceful state arrives, we often say ‘I do not feel like praising God,’ ‘Wait, this is not the time; let us leave it for another occasion,’ because we are hurt, overwhelmed, or bewildered, to the point of thinking or saying: ‘Why is this happening to me?’

God’s Word teaches us that

“… affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground. But just as sparks rise to fly through the air, so humanity is born to affliction.” (Job 5:6-7)

yet immediately it suggests that

“Surely I would seek God and entrust my cause to him, who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number” (Job 5:8-9)

Sometimes it seems that everything is against us, but we must understand that

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear; along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

So what should we do?

Yes, it is understandable to ask this when doubt, anxiety, despair, and difficulty are at our door… But God’s Word teaches us that God works through every situation—yes, every situation—to fulfill his purpose in us…

“And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

For this tremendous reason,

“My brothers and sisters, count it all joy when you face various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience complete its work, so that you may be perfect and whole, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let them ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to them.” (James 1:2-5)

Now that we have reasons to rise and be filled with strength

Do you want more reasons to kindle and rekindle the fire of our praise amid adversity?

\1. Amid adversity

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of his benefits.” (Psalms 103:1-2)

\2. I will kindle and rekindle the fire because

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip, and the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, the one who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not weary you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your soul. The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in, from now and forever.” (Psalms 121:2-8)

\3. Amid adversity

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord throughout my life; I will sing psalms to my God as long as I live.” (Psalms 146:1-2)

\4. I will kindle and rekindle the fire because

“… the Lord goes before you; he will be with you, he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be intimidated.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

\5. Amid adversity

“Praise the Lord, all nations; praise him, all peoples. For his mercy toward us is great, and the Lord’s faithfulness is forever. Hallelujah.” (Psalms 117:1-2)

And 6. I will kindle and rekindle the fire because

“Though I walk amid distress, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies, and your right hand will save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose in me; your mercy, O Lord, is forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalms 138:7-8)

Let us kindle and rekindle the fire amid adversity

“For this light, momentary affliction produces in us an ever more excellent and eternal weight of glory, as we look not at what is seen but at what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

_**Remember to stop by the Songbook

May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!