The Daily Guide
Rescue for the saints
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake...and every one's bands were loosed.
Acts 16:25-26 - KJV
Pursued, struck down, surrounded by trouble, battered - these were just some of things Apostle Paul was going through in his ministry. Yet in all of this his testimony was, "None of this demoralises me!" Why didn't Paul despair? He was kept from this because he constantly engaged himself in spiritual activity - like praise, prayer and singing psalms. This made him ever mindful of what God had done, was doing and would continue to do! 2Cor.4:7-18, 2Cor.1:10.
In times of trouble your flesh has no inclination to praise but it's important you do it anyway! Praise protects you from discouragement because it lifts up your heart to God. Praise keeps you from despair because it causes your soul to be occupied with thoughts of God's greatness and His faithfulness to His people. In the scripture passage above we read of Paul and Silas praying and singing even though their bodies must have been protesting with pain. Their activity of thanksgiving drew to them a mighty deliverance from God. It also kept them from discouragement or despair. Lam.3:41.
Resist the temptation to get down at the conditions surrounding you! Instead get excited about what God has done within you. Encouragement comes from regarding the condition God has brought to your inner man. Discouragement comes from regarding the condition of your outer man or your surrounding circumstances. God has made you a new creation spirit able to commune with Him because of His Son, Jesus!
God's deliverance is very near you!
Copyright © 2004 P.F.(Simon)Measures
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