He Makes Wars Cease...

Greetings in the Lord!

Well, I wrote not too long ago from 2 Samuel 3, about how the war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time...and people wrote back to me confirming that their "war" was indeed taking a long time!  Yes, many of us are tired and weary from battling against the schemes of the devil these past months, and even though we know we are growing stronger in the Lord because of our trials, we still can't help but to pray at times, "Lord, are we there yet?"

Well, today's word is one of encouragement.  It is from Psalm 46, and the verses that speak so loudly to me today are 9-11:

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. 
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Praise God for that!  For truly, God has been and continues to be "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," though all has been shaking and blowing against us from all sides, "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

I love verse 4 especially: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells."  You know, Jerusalem was not like some of the other prominent cities of the Middle East that did have large rivers to sustain the people.  Even the River Jordan was not much to brag about.  But the river of verse 4 was referring to God's continual outpouring of protection, provision, and favor to His people.  It is a divine river that refreshes His people's souls, as well as their bodies and minds...even in the midst of battle.  "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day."  Even though it was a long, frightening night, by the time the new day broke God turned back the battle at the gates.  Amen!

So, get ready for the Lord to use all of your trials and newfound maturity in Him to bless others.  Some will be called to preach again, and some to teach or lead Bible studies.  Others will begin to reach out to those who need to hear words of hope, words that only you can give because you overcame the trials they are now in.  Begin to thank God for these opportunities to bless others and for the opportunity to share His light in a new way to those still living in darkness.  Not one of your trials will go to waste--God will give you the joy and grace for every tear you shed in the long night.  "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You." Psalm 33:22

~Be blessed and be a blessing.

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