Ever since I first heard the song “So Will I”, I’ve been thinking about the word “will.” I feel like we don’t really ascribe as much weight to that word as we should. My thought is that we use it interchangeably with “can” or “might” when we should see it as something that refers to an act of our will, something we truly intend to do. I mean, what if the pastor said to the bride or groom at their wedding “will you keep these vows?” and the person responded with “I can.” I don’t think that would go over well with the potential spouse. Recently, a friend shared with me a story of a family that is going through many hardships, but have chosen to say “We WILL praise God.” First of all, the husband and father in this family has a progressive, debilitating disease that causes him to be unable to work. They are raising two small grandchildren. The wife has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Her adult children have problems and recently, one of them passed away. My friend told me that the wife, especially, inspires her because she praises God so openly in church. She also said that she spoke at her child’s funeral, and she said “I WILL praise God.” This woman is making a conscious choice to praise God in the midst of suffering that has to be overwhelming. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We aren’t told to give thanks for everything, but we can thank God in all of our circumstances, because He promises to be with us in them. Isaiah 43:2 says “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” And in Isaiah 41:10 it says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” There are many other, similar promises in the Bible. As Christians, God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and to comfort us. Our circumstances may be very difficult, but we can still make it our will to praise God because we know that he has a plan and a purpose, and He WILL sustain us in all circumstances if we trust Him. I’ve done a pretty good amount of complaining since I’ve been in bed. I’m trying to remember to thank and praise God instead. There is so much we CAN be thankful for. Like the woman, referenced above, let’s say “I WILL praise Him.”
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
I WILL Praise Him
Matthew 6:10b “your will be done,” Job 13:15a “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him;”
Ever since I first heard the song “So Will I”, I’ve been thinking about the word “will.” I feel like we don’t really ascribe as much weight to that word as we should. My thought is that we use it interchangeably with “can” or “might” when we should see it as something that refers to an act of our will, something we truly intend to do. I mean, what if the pastor said to the bride or groom at their wedding “will you keep these vows?” and the person responded with “I can.” I don’t think that would go over well with the potential spouse. Recently, a friend shared with me a story of a family that is going through many hardships, but have chosen to say “We WILL praise God.” First of all, the husband and father in this family has a progressive, debilitating disease that causes him to be unable to work. They are raising two small grandchildren. The wife has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Her adult children have problems and recently, one of them passed away. My friend told me that the wife, especially, inspires her because she praises God so openly in church. She also said that she spoke at her child’s funeral, and she said “I WILL praise God.” This woman is making a conscious choice to praise God in the midst of suffering that has to be overwhelming. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We aren’t told to give thanks for everything, but we can thank God in all of our circumstances, because He promises to be with us in them. Isaiah 43:2 says “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” And in Isaiah 41:10 it says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” There are many other, similar promises in the Bible. As Christians, God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and to comfort us. Our circumstances may be very difficult, but we can still make it our will to praise God because we know that he has a plan and a purpose, and He WILL sustain us in all circumstances if we trust Him. I’ve done a pretty good amount of complaining since I’ve been in bed. I’m trying to remember to thank and praise God instead. There is so much we CAN be thankful for. Like the woman, referenced above, let’s say “I WILL praise Him.”
Ever since I first heard the song “So Will I”, I’ve been thinking about the word “will.” I feel like we don’t really ascribe as much weight to that word as we should. My thought is that we use it interchangeably with “can” or “might” when we should see it as something that refers to an act of our will, something we truly intend to do. I mean, what if the pastor said to the bride or groom at their wedding “will you keep these vows?” and the person responded with “I can.” I don’t think that would go over well with the potential spouse. Recently, a friend shared with me a story of a family that is going through many hardships, but have chosen to say “We WILL praise God.” First of all, the husband and father in this family has a progressive, debilitating disease that causes him to be unable to work. They are raising two small grandchildren. The wife has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Her adult children have problems and recently, one of them passed away. My friend told me that the wife, especially, inspires her because she praises God so openly in church. She also said that she spoke at her child’s funeral, and she said “I WILL praise God.” This woman is making a conscious choice to praise God in the midst of suffering that has to be overwhelming. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We aren’t told to give thanks for everything, but we can thank God in all of our circumstances, because He promises to be with us in them. Isaiah 43:2 says “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” And in Isaiah 41:10 it says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” There are many other, similar promises in the Bible. As Christians, God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide and to comfort us. Our circumstances may be very difficult, but we can still make it our will to praise God because we know that he has a plan and a purpose, and He WILL sustain us in all circumstances if we trust Him. I’ve done a pretty good amount of complaining since I’ve been in bed. I’m trying to remember to thank and praise God instead. There is so much we CAN be thankful for. Like the woman, referenced above, let’s say “I WILL praise Him.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
David in Ps 100 says:
ReplyDelete1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
now it is in verse 5 where he actually mentions why to shout to the Lord with Joy. He says:
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
in fact David faced difficulties in his life too, but he realizes that God's endures love, and God's everlasting faithfulness is greater than his problem on this pilgrimage earth. This actually Yoke me with praise to God's name n matter what is happening on my pilgrimage. I love your discussion.
we sing a French Song on Isaiah 43:2