bible characters who praised god in hard times

I discovered I needed to shift my thinking, and see this setback as a set-up for God to move. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. What might you do to cultivate a natural response of thanksgiving? She stepped out of the shadows, made her way through the crowd and told the whole truth so she could get closer to Jesus. Her websitebrittanyrust.comaims to supply encouraging resources for the world-wearied believer. Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God. when David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Have you quit believing God hears you and wants to bless you? We. Hannah was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah; Hannah was barren but the other wife had many children. Ruth stuck by Naomi when she felt bitter and alone, but then Naomi decided to help Ruth too: One day Ruths mother-in-law Naomi said to her, My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.. He persistently, continually, and repeatedly praises the Lord. "Praising God isn't an option, it's a necessity." "The deepest level of worship is praising God inspite of pain, trusting Him during a trial, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant." Rick Warren What does it mean to praise the Lord? Maybe you come up with a lot of reasons or excuses for why you shouldnt be the one to act. But, if we review Davids story in the Bible, we realize that becoming king for him was a difficult path to travel and that, however, God was with him in every part of his life. He worshiped after the death of his son. When David returned to bless her family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came Hope is what keeps us going when our desires seem to go unfulfilled and hard times come our way. We can learn a thing or two from that kind of attitude. But before all that can happen, God gave Isaiah an intense vision that overwhelmed him. David writes in Psalm 142:4b-7, no one cares for my soul. She took a bold risk to believe in Jesus and his power. 14 Dressed only. In one sense, its a choice, not a feeling. Instead, it redirects our focus on who God is. . Zechariah & Elizabeth: Trusting God when a longing is unfulfilled, 4. I pray youll be encouraged and take hope in Gods power, even as the battles seem to close in around you. Difficult times will happen to us all. Not just this month, but in all times. Job had lost his children, his land, and most of his possessions yet he worshipped God. Our mentors are not counsellors. He gave him a tenth of all. The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me. [22] So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Moses: trusting God when there is no way out, 6. David danced before the Lord in the streets as a response of praise to his holy God. Here are 47 bible verses about praising God in hard times. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. March 20, 2022. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. But Mary, the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus, would exemplify great praise. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Although the woman in this passage was unnamed, her story of faith is unforgettable and inspires me to never give up. The daughter of Saul looked out of the window, andwhen she saw that King David was They shared about how they were able to trust in God and His Word even through their grief. However, in the book of Samuel, we find a passage, where it is evident that Davids state of gratitude went beyond what his words expressed, and far above his wifes contempt, he would always praise God. Where No One Stands Alone Lisa Marie Presley Duet with Elvis, Bills QB Josh Allen Describes 'Spiritual Awakening' after Hamlin Collapse: 'I Couldn't Deny' It. Among these stories, those of Grateful Men in the Bible stand out, helping us to know how we should be grateful to God and what we gain from it. Watch: 3 Examples of Trusting God When Times Are Hard. Bible verses about praising God can help guide your prayers in these times. He replied, Jacob. [28] Your name will no longer be Jacob, the man told him. But Mordecai wanted to help her see that the impact she was capable of having was greater than the risk. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. In difficult times, we may be tempted to believe that God has abandoned us or has lost vision for us. Who among these Bible characters is your favourite and why? There was a time in secondary school when I revealed a huge secret of a friend to others by mistake. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). However, Mordecai then noted to Esther that God may have made her queen for this very purpose saving her people. According to 1 Kings 3:9, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he desired. How has your faith been affected by a long-standing difficult situation? What Is the Difference Between Prophetic Words and the Word of God? But we can learn from David that our destiny was not determined by difficult moments. KJV Bible!. [23] After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Turn your eyes to him and allow him to surround you with his love and strength. Since he is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise him again. What inspires me about Zechariah and Elizabeth is their ability to trust God in the midst of a longing unfulfilled. Ultimately, its the Lord who heals the distressed soul. [25] When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacobs hip and wrenched it out of its socket. My friend was angry, but we were able to make amends. So let us all trust in God and turn to Him. ( Job 1:20-21) I want to make three observations from this text. Be honest with yourself, God, and friends. If you stay silent during this time, deliverance for the Jews will come from somewhere, but you, my child, and all of your fathers family will die. Its both amazing to think and sad that only one man returned to give thanks for healing from a debilitating disease. This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new.. Deborah was a great example of this. Hes willing to help us work through our pain and defenses to transform us into someone new. We can still praise him for the Cross and the Resurrection. Is your faith based on the outcome of your difficult situation? When he was young, Jacob had a relationship with his brother Esau that was complicated at best. A young girl filled with immense thanks knew exactly where her praise was to be directed. Hopelessness, confusion, anger, depression? Isolating, negative thinking, unbelief, loss of passion toward God. Their faith allowed for contentment with whatever the outcome. Learning from Jesus to see past our failures and find our potential. Its been a grueling series of doctor appointments and tests that have left us feeling frustrated and forgotten. I had failed all the previous examinations and was not confident things could change. The excuse Esther gave was valid she could die! His connection to God deepens during difficulties. Rather than let God and people give me the comfort and reassurance I need, I push them away by refusing to be honest, hardening my heart and acting cold in relationships. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. David ran into the wildness to escape and during this time, he had opportunities to kill Saul. I shut down my emotions so I dont have to feel or rely on anyone. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. Whenever I know my pastors are going through difficult times, seeing them continue to preach Gods word boldly encourages me that God can give us grace to go on. He thenaccepted that trusting God through it all was enough. The expression, I will still praise him signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. How did she do it all? For me, bad news is usually followed by worst-case scenario thinking and suddenly being overtaken by torrents of anxiety and feelings of helplessness. She loved and believed in her, so nothing Naomi could have done would push her away. BENEFITS OF PRAISING GOD. Later, in the midst of Job's suffering, his friends got into a debate with him. We might not have the title Deborah did, but life demands a lot from us each day: settling disputes, helping people with marriages, finances, kids, and health. Even though David had the solution to his problems, he never strayed from his morals. We can still praise him because hes worthy. Through Song. I cant move, I am in pain constantly. Once he heard his brother Esau was coming to meet him, he got afraid. Lift these difficulties up to God in prayer. He gave thanks to God for hearing his prayer for the raising of Lazarus--before Lazarus rose from the grave. This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Where do you find words of praise and thanksgiving when your heart is full of sorrow and struggle? They trusted God completely. 2. However, those same slaves of whom you speak will honor me. When given the opportunity to step up and lead, Esther said, No way!. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the . When nine vanished into the crowd one gave thanks where thanks was due. While queen Esther was Jewish, she had been hiding her identity. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. out to meet him and reproached him: How distinguished the king of Israel has been seen today, undressing like a In 1 Corinthians 14:1-26, Paul explains universal principles about prophecy. What in your life is not how you pictured it? When you read Psalms, you can find so many verses about God's children singing praise even in the midst of hard times. My maids and I will join you in this time. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances - especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. & Privacy Policy. After being away from home for years, Jacob finally headed back in Genesis 32. God guided the Israelites to the exact place he wanted them to be, right on the edge of the Red Sea. God moved through their loyal friendship to help them find healing, hope, and an incredible future. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. For example, I faced a tough period in my life during the O-Level Mandarin Chinese exams. Many men and women we consider pillars of the faith represented an attitude of thanksgiving so well. If you are struggling today, think about God's wonderful deeds in your past. So amid cheers and to the sound of rams horns, David and all the people, It happened that, when the ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, The daughter of Saul looked out of the window, andwhen she saw that King David was. I think the enemy knows that as long as we wait for everything to line up before we praise the Lord, well stay stuck a lot longer than we need to. Does your praise and thanksgiving overflow from the good youve had to let go? How Should Christians Respond to Feeling Stuck in Life? What I find interesting is that all three of these instances were instances we might find tense. Even though Naomi tried to push both her daughters-in-law away, Ruth refused to be shut out. Because of the nature of her illness, she was considered unclean according to the laws and traditions of the time. Every day we work demanding jobs and do what we can to help care for our families. Where is God when it really hurts? Sometimes during difficult times we simply need to remember God. So what did Moses do? 16 Bible Verses about Praise, Examples Of. However, Davids success and popularity caused King Saul to become jealous, and he eventually tried to kill David. Terms of Service I knew it was not because of my own works, as I had guessed entire sections of multiple-choice questions! Ill be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of lifes storms and challenges. So I will continue dancing in the presence of the. Jumping and dancing before the LORD, she felt for him a deep contempt. When we feel alone, what often helps us not slip into bitterness is to see the purpose we have in other peoples lives. There honestly isnt a lot of information about her but her mark in the Bible is significant. Make the choice to fill your heart with words of praise and thanksgiving for God. 2. The jailer then took Paul to his home to wash his wounds. The Bible or word of God is full of wonderful stories and life lessons whose purpose is to bring us closer to a living God who is a rewarder of those who seek him. Among these stories, those of Grateful Men. People from all over the region rushed to him and pressed against him. As a new young queen, Im sure Esther felt a little out of her element. We wonder if we will ever emerge from todays trying situation with our joy intact. How has this influenced your belief in Gods love and faithfulness? Marys heart was full of praise and it outpoured into the world. Intercede for me. Perhaps you have been made queen for such a time as this.. That man threw himself at the feet of Jesus and gave immense thanks. Put your hope in God, Why praising God through your worst days is the best battle plan you have? Understandably, Naomi questioned Gods love for her and didnt see how anyone could understand or help her through her pain. Zechariah & Elizabeth: Trusting God when a longing is unfulfilled Isaiah: trusting God through bad news Woman healed by Jesus: trusting God is taking risks despite the pain Moses: trusting God when there is no way out David: trusting God when life is not how you pictured it Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: trusting God no matter the outcome David was anointed King of Israel, was hailed a hero for conquering Goliath, led numerous successful military campaigns, became head of military operations for Israel, married the kings daughter he had it all going for him. Even though it would have been safer to prioritise himself and stay quiet, Paul focused on bringing people to God even while imprisoned. God showed his faithfulness with Zechariah and Elizabeth by working to bless their lives even after they waited a long time. If God is real, why doesnt He end our suffering? What is one thing that you could do to make God more a part of your daily life? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Because faithfulness (or in Hebrew, emet) is the last word used to describe . by Admin Team. During a time when her people were in exile, Esther had every reason to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and just try to get by. Read Chapter All Versions. They are an example of people who understood longing unfulfilled the heartache of being denied something you long for and not knowing why. Of course, this is by no means an easy thing to do. Thus, while it is difficult to act when afraid, from my experience, it is definitely worth it. Praising God in hard times requires faith. All rights reserved. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego respectfully declined. From Moses, we learn something simple yet often overlooked: we should remember to turn to God for help. And after the three days, I will go in to the king and plead my peoples case, even though it means breaking the law. It is never easy to make it through difficult phases of life. God Hates a Lying Tongue ( Proverbs 6:16-19) By: Amanda Idleman. 1. Its called the Magnificat and its found in Luke 1. What are the areas of your life that overwhelm you the most? [24] This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. PRAISES PROMOTES PRODUCTIVITY: Psalms 17:5-6. I wouldnt be so overwhelmed with the busy schedule of my life, but would believe that I can handle it because God is on my side. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. any other of his family, chose me and made me ruler of Israel, which is the people of the LORD. Finding out she was pregnant with the Savior of the world wasnt the easiest news to swallow and the aftermath took some faith. This is a basic principle. vv. Sometimes difficulty isnt a drastic tragedy, but the busy chaos of managing life. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. Later, Moses returned to Egypt to convince the new Pharaoh to free the Israelites, risking his life. Good thing we have some great examples in the Bible! Though our circumstances change our destiny does not (Ephesians 1:11). Eve. Hannah is one of my favorite people in the Bible and someone Ive learned a lot from. Faith is what helps us trust God in difficult times. My stomach sinks. The Psalmist is full of longing to be in God's House. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. However, I noticed that if I participated in teasing others with them, they would befriend me. Psalm 71:14 (NLT). Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions can't confirm it. He is near to the brokenhearted ( Psalm 34:18 ). Living by faith, not by sight means we can look past the challenges before us, knowing that God loves us, and is actively working to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful (Romans 8:28 Voice). If we cant praise him for our circumstances, we can praise him in spite of them. Bible verses about praising God can help guide your prayers in these times. Here are five of these individuals, and some takeaways we can learn from them. Thankfully, we can always turn to Gods word for guidance whenever we go through such difficult periods. Praising God in the hard times doesn't minimize or deny heaviness of heart. How do you respond when things dont go well? [26] Then the man said, Let me go, for the dawn is breaking! But Jacob said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. [27] What is your name? the man asked. Stop and give incredible thanks for all God has and is doing in your life! There were no warriors in Israel until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose to be a mother to Israel. These Bible stories about trusting God will inspire you to overcome circumstances and inspire your faith to believe. Whether I understand everything or not, with an answer or without one, I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).. Even in their position, Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did not feel the need to defend their decision to not comply with the kings edict. My to-do list feels like it goes on forever. How can you trust that, whatever happens, it is God who still loves and guides you? The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is about the faithfulness of God, and what it means to live by faith. Dont be like one of the nine that was blessed and moved on. We are left wondering to ourselves, How did I get myself here? I felt that when I was hospitalized for a back injury. We wont spam you. Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary;praise him in his mighty heavens!Praise him for his mighty deeds;praise him according to his excellent greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound;praise him with lute and harp!Praise him with tambourine and dance;praise him with strings and pipe!Praise him with sounding cymbals;praise him with loud clashing cymbals!Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!Praise the Lord! So amid cheers and to the sound of rams horns, David and all the people This is why we give praise to the Lord. This was not at all how we pictured our life. For the past few years my spouse and I have been trying to start a family. This experience can occur in our lives from time to time. which is the people of the LORD. Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! How might these stories and lessons from the Bible speak to your troubles? When talking about Bible characters who suffered, Job would be one of the first few people Christians think of and rightly so. He is faithful and true. Worship is being honest with God. Who is someone that you could reach out and help this week? A longing unfulfilled can be disheartening. The angel showed up to Zechariah with good news while Zechariah was serving God has a priest. In his darkest moments, David was still worshipping God. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lords commands and decrees blamelessly. The other wife, Peninnah, would taunt her regularly and Hannahs misery was indeed immense. For this, God rebukes David, through his prophet, and punishes him, however, David wholeheartedly turned to God who forgave him. 2023 Deep Spirituality / Privacy Policy. If you ever want to feel better about your own flaws and mistakes, read the story of Jacob. of Israel carried the ark of the LORD. He was the hero who defeated Goliath, successful in war and had the love of the people. But today we take a look at people who uniquely gave thanks with all their heart. Your donation will go to funding the generation of more faith-based content to sow into the digital domain. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. He worshiped after the death of his son. They were free at last! [12] But you promised me, I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore too many to count.. When we go through hard times, it can be easy to feel alone. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. He helped her see the purpose and vision God had for her, challenging her to take that leap of faith. Here are four inspiring stories about finding faith and joy during trialseverything from job loss and unemployment to parenting issues and life-threatening illnesses. Sign up below for your FREE Printable Prayer Cards: Hi, I'm Kathryn! In these moments, our fear of failure, rejection, and humiliation are very real, and so is the dilemma of choosing to either face that fear or freeze up or run away. In fact, his difficult circumstances made him a more compassionate and humble king. He never changes. I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving. What is the most difficult thing youre facing right now in life. As such, they were even able to forgive the driver responsible for the accident and had peace in their hearts. Keeping faith in God during hard times can be extremely difficult. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and . [21] I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. He was God and didnt have to give thanks for anything, but he often did. The main message from all of the lessons taught by these Bible figures is that everything is possible with God (Matthew 15:26). Why do you want to know my name? the man replied. Paul preached Gods word to the jailer and his family, and the whole household accepted Jesus. Have you ever been in a position where you had the opportunity or responsibility to act, but were too afraid? Haman, Xerxes right-hand man, had it out for the Jews, and convinced the king to send out a verdict to kill them on a certain date (Esther 3:12-13). My flesh finds relief in making a plan or figuring out a solution, but something I learned about going through difficulty is that its an opportunity to transform my prayer life. He had everything that anyone living in that time would want a big family, good health and plentiful wealth. Even in the darkest seasons of his life--as we see in the psalms--he pointed back to the goodness of God. Hannah prayed that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to Him. In fact, it may even be more effective to serve during periods of struggle! I will praise you more and more. Some people suffer for what they have done; others suffer because of what people have done to them. He struggled to believe he could deliver his people from Egypt, and he ran into the wilderness until God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to do exactly what he had run away from. We find ourselves in a special season that singularly focuses on the act of giving thanks. This is something we can learn: to not compromise when faced with solutions which we know are wrong. And if I die, then I die!.