From Victor King.

I believe that God often does His deepest work in our darkest moments. Here are a few real-life testimonies:

In 1993, Darlene Zschech experienced a dark season in her life. When life was unbearably difficult for her, she turned to Psalm 96 and wrote the song “Shout to the Lord” – and she worshipped.

Suffering from loneliness and financial strain, Laurie Klein was going through a dark patch in life. She then picked up her guitar and out of her mouth came, “I love You Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You” – and she worshipped.

Marc Byrd was penniless and in deep despair. He found solace in the Psalms and spent an entire weekend reflecting on it. Out of that weekend came the song, “God of Wonders”, a song extolling God the Creator – and he worshipped.

Moving from Canada to London, Brian Doerkson went to a small church to serve as a worship leader. In the wake of a major collapse of a ministry project, he had recently lost $1 million and even his home. Things on the home front were not good either. 3 of his 6 children had been diagnosed with a form of mental retardation. As he walked and prayed near Wimbledon Stadium, God gave him the song, “Come, now is the time to worship” – and he worshipped.

Don Moen was on a plane going to sing – not at a usual concert, but at the funeral of his young nephew. It had been a sad and untimely death in a terrible car accident. As he read Isaiah 43:19, “I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert,” God gave Don the song, “God Will Make A Way” – and he worshipped.

We serve a God who specializes in turning every trial into a triumph. He is waiting to transform us and is calling us to worship Him that we may find hope in Him. Don’t give up for the Lord your Father will lift you in due time.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I WILL REJOICE”.
Habbakuk 3:17-18.

Our capacity to actually dwell in Christ’s presence is based upon knowing the true nature of God. If we see Him as a loving Father, we will draw near; if He seems to be a harsh judge, we will withdraw. Indeed, everything that defines us is influenced by our perception of God.

If we do not believe God cares about us, we will be overly focused on caring for ourselves. If we feel insignificant or ignored by God, we will exhaust ourselves by seeking significance from men. However, once we realize that God truly loves us, that He desires we draw near to Him, a door opens before us into His presence. Here, in the shelter of the Most High, we can find rest and renewed power for our souls.

God’s love is not a reality distant from our needs. The Bible reveals that Lord is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb 4:15 KJV). He feels the pain of what we experience on earth. He participates in the life we live, for “in Him we live, and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV). He is not removed from our need; we are His body. He is one with us.

The truth is, we are not alone in our battles. However, if we believe we are alone—if we accept the lie that God does not care—our darkened thinking will isolate us from the loving commitment of God.

Beloved, even in our times of rebellion, the heart of God is not far. Consider the Lord’s relationship with Israel. Though Israel had sinned and was suffering oppressive consequences, the Lord wasn’t far. We read that when the Lord “could bear the misery of Israel no longer” He raised up deliverers (Judges 10:16). God wasn’t distant; He was with them, actually bearing their very misery!

At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus wept. Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus; He knew it six days before He called Lazarus back from death. He wept because they were weeping.

Do you know that the Spirit of God actually feels our heartache? He is with us in our conflicts and near us in our fears. At the tomb of Lazarus, some would suggest that Christ’s weeping was really over the unbelief of His disciples. I think not. When the Lord wept over Lazarus, those who saw Christ saw a man touched by the sorrows of others. They remarked, “Behold how He loved him!” (John 11:36).

Our healing comes when we behold how He loves us. We are raised from the dead when He comes to our tomb and calls us by name out of death.

We must personalize God’s love. He gave His Son for my sins, His word for my guidance and His Spirit for my strength. If the Almighty is for me, who can be against me?

Dear friend, with wide-eyed wonder, let us behold how He loves us, and be healed of our isolation.

By Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org

This word is submitted by Yolanda Ballard [roarnworship@cfl.rr.com]

In the midst of the darkness, I am there with you leading and guiding you into all truth. For I am the way, the truth and the life, and without Me you have no other way that will lead you to everlasting life. For it is through Me that you live and breathe and have your being. Yes, breathe in, and I will give you the wind that will take you to the next level.

For even though the warfare has been heavy, I have been using it for your favor. For I am strengthening you, and I am teaching you, and I am even molding you into My image and yes, using the schemes and the threats of the enemy. What the enemy means for your harm, I am using it all for your good.

So just rest in My presence, for I am doing a mighty work in you. What you have been through might not feel good, and you might not understand,but just trust Me for I am in control of all things. And yes, it all works together for your good, because I have called you according to My plan and purpose. Yes, rest in Me, and know that I love you, and that I will protect you, and lead you into safety and provision, health and prosperity.