Through it All

Based on Psalms 26-28, Acts 22

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." Psalm 27:3

Whether it be a host of people we know personally, or war going on in the world around us, God is able to protect us from dangers near & far! Our hearts don't have to fear, and we can be confident in God through it all! But if we are trying to trudge through this world without God, we are missing out on the great favor & protection we have when we find shelter & refuge in Him!

"And now shall mine head be lifted up, Above mine enemies round about me: Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD." Psalm 27:6

Our head is often down when we forget to look to God...our eyes are stuck on the problem, and instead of praising & having joy through it all, we get stuck in a slump. But when we remember that God alone has the power & strength to get us through, all of a sudden, we can look up! We can praise! We can have joy even when we are surrounded by challenges! Of course, it's a process, and that excitement probably won't come automatically...but the faster we make the decision to trust in God through it all, the faster we can start practicing a life of joy and victory instead of depression & defeat!

"And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that , he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman." Acts 22:23‭-‬26

If there was anyone who was constantly in the spotlight of his enemies, it was Paul! It wasn't just the common people, but all the authorities had their eyes on him! They all were against his radical message...but through it all, he was able to pass from authority to authority until he spoke to all the crowds and officials God wanted him to speak to! In one instance, right when he was about to get beaten, Paul said he was a Roman, so they decided not to go through with it...because through it all, God was making a way where there seemed to be no way! Paul could be confident & have joy, even through this difficult process! Are we that brave? Are we that confident? How much do we want God to intervene in our lives? God is the only One able to keep us safe, through it all!