Tag: #hardtimes

In Whom Is Your Faith?

Text:

Psalm 31:19-20 (HCSB)

19  How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.

20  You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues.

Observation:

Have you ever been in a hard place, and knew in the depths of your heart that it will take a miracle for you to get out of the hole that you found yourself in. That is the case of David. In his distress David took the upward look, and called out to the God of his salvation.

Psalm 31:3-5 (KJV)

3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

4  Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

5  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

One of the things that we know about David is that he was a man who had faith in God. It is the only way that we can please God, and receive anything from Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

It is not the quantity of our faith that makes the difference. Rather, it is the object of our faith. Who or what do you have faith in? This is the testimony of David.

Psalm 31:14 (KJV)

14  But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

David’s faith in God was rewarded because God heard, and answered David’s plea for protection and deliverance. What he did for David, God will do for you. When He does, don’t forget to thank Him for His kindness, and tender mercies.

Let’s agree in prayer with David by joining him in his prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Prayer:

Psalm 31:21-24 (HCSB)

21  May the LORD be praised, for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege.

22  In my alarm I had said, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to You for help.

23  Love the LORD, all His faithful ones. The LORD protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.

24  Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD.

Let all who agree say, “Amen”.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

How Do You Get Through Hard Times?

Text:

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (ESV)

8  For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.

9  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

10  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Observation:

We should expect hard times.

John 16:33 (ESV)

33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We are never alone in hard times.

Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)

10  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

There is a purpose in the hard times.

James 1:2-3 (HCSB)

2  Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,

3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Stay close and connected to God.

Psalm 50:15 (HCSB)

15  Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Things to remember during hard times.

Romans 8:18 (ESV)

18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

James 1:12 (ESV)

12  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Prayer: 

Father God, I am so thankful that you are the Sovereign God, and that the hard times your children face in this world are not a surprise to you.

Father, we thank you for your presence, power, peace, and provisions for your children in the good times, and in the hard times.

Father, in these difficult days, we pray that the testing of our faith will produce endurance, and joy in the Lord. We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, Amen.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry

How Do You Have Hope in Hard Times and in Hard Places?

Text:

Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.

Observation:

No matter how hard life gets in this world, and yes, life in the world is hard, but the good news is that God is good, and the best is yet to come. In fact, Christ followers should “Rejoice in hope”.

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

When things get hard in our life we can rest in the blessed assurance that, “God is our refuge and strength”.

We are weak but our God is strong. When trouble knocks on your door, ask the Lord to answer the door; the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s; and He is willing and able to help you.

1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Jude 1:24-25 (HCSB)
24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I acknowledge that I am weak, but you are strong. Father, I am grateful that the battle is yours, and not mines.

“Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
No other help I know;
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
Ah, wither shall I go?”

So, I ask for your help; Father, with You as my protection, I can walk in the way that leads to victory over all the powers that oppose You, and your people.

Father, bind Your people together as we together with courage overcome the enemy of our soul. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

—

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) 
11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Read the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/

Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:

https://soundcloud.com/praying-for-you-ministry