Lamentations 3:25
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him (KJV).

Are you able to celebrate God in tough times?

In church the Pastor says, “God is good all the time”. Then the congregation responds, “And all the time God is good.” Christian use this phrase across denominational lines. We use it so much; it just rolls off the tongue with little thought. But, if you stop, while you are dealing with some hardship, trial or personal issue, do you still say with joy “And all the time God is good.” Jeremiah, the prophet that is attributed from writing Lamentations, wrote almost an entire book of the bible as a passionate expression of grief and sorrow. He filled it with poems about how sad he was about the current state of Israel. But, in the middle of his tears, he took time to reflect on the fact that no matter how bad things were, they could be worse. The world would say he had an epiphany. I believe it was a rhema word from the Lord, a revelation. God is good to those who wait. 

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (KJV)

Not only did Jeremiah get the revelation on the blessings of waiting, so did Isaiah and David. Hopefully, you will get it too. Don’t jump ship in the hard times. Don’t throw in the towel and get a new god. Look for God’s blessings at all times but especially when it seems like He is not blessing you; or He is not answering your prayers; or you can’t see Him at work. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what is really happening in your life and what He is trying to teach you.

James 1:2-4 Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. (The Voice)

Recognize the enemy is always on his job. He does not want you to live your life growing in the things of God so you can fulfill the purpose of God. Don’t let him distract you; then you will not spend time murmuring and complaining. Confuse the enemy with celebration!!!

Please agree with me as I pray:
Father, I thank You for teaching me the purpose of waiting and for helping me understand better how You work. You have an assignment for me. You gave me the good and perfect gifts I need to fulfill the assignment. However, there are some things I didn’t think about. I don’t have the big picture of how I will do what you have called me to do. I don’t know who else You have chosen to work with me. I need to learn to use the gifts. Learning to use the gifts will take trial and error, which means mistakes and difficulties. The vision will come, but I must wait for it. No matter where my training exercises come from, You or what You allow the enemy to do, You are the teacher. You are in control. It is just a test You have designed for me. You must develop the gifts You have given me, and that happens through trials. I know the race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong, it’s given to the one who endures to the end. I want to be one of those who endures to the end. Help me not to endure harness as a good soldier so that I please You, Who chose me to be Your soldier…