Category: encouragement

Posted in encouragement, theology

Fasting: What it is and what it isn’t

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Spiritual disciplines. We all know that they are. Reading the Bible. Praying. Giving. Attending church. Doing good works.

Fasting.

Fasting isn’t talked about much and when it is, it’s sort of either glossed over or it’s folded in as part of the latest diet-fad-plan.

What IS the spiritual discipline of fasting, then?

Jesus said that we will be fasting as part of the spiritual life. In Matthew 6:16-18 He said what to do and what not to do when we do it.

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

If you haven’t thought of fasting like this, please do: It’s possible to fast in hypocrisy.

Just as with anything we do for the Lord, it’s possible to mix in personal motives that outweigh or outbalance why we’re doing it for Him, making it a hypocritical exercise. That’s why it’s important to know what fasting is and why we do it.

fasting final

 

These books above are just a very few of the books that pop up when searching for “fasting”. You can fast for breakthrough, to get an edge, to lose weight, to formulate atomic power with God, to feed your soul, to spark an awakening, to receive rewards, to cause a miracle, to start a revival…

Those are a few of the subtitles to the books that came up on my search for ‘fasting.’ If you’re new to the faith or unfamiliar with the discipline, the dangers are real in that you might accidentally absorb the simply wrong or even heretical, written by heretics. They look good, they may sound good to the newbie, but they would steer you in the wrong direction.

Solid ministries that teach rightly would be John MacArthur at Grace to You, RC Sproul at Ligonier, CARM.org, Monergism, and more.

Here is a John MacArthur sermon about Fasting without Hypocrisy. The sermon begins this way:

Now fasting is a very popular phenomenon today, but that is not to be confused with what the Bible is teaching us about fasting.

What DOES the Bible teach us about fasting? It is not to lose weight. It is not something to do for medical purposes, though your doctor may recommend fasting before taking certain tests. But that is not spiritual fasting. Spiritual fasting is not to “get” something. It is not to empty one’s self in order to receive a revelation or to go mystical via dreams or visions in an altered state.

Biblical fasting has variously been defined as-

  • Abstaining from food or drink in order to focus on prayer and seeking God’s will.
  • Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes.
  • Abstaining from food for the purpose of focusing on God

John Piper said, “Fasting is a temporary renunciation of something that is in itself good, like food, in order to intensify our expression of need for something greater — namely, God and his work in our lives.”

The Bible never deals with fasting on a physical level. John MacArthur

Examples of fasts in the Bible:

Jesus fasted for forty days in the wilderness prior to beginning His public ministry. He was there to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1-2, Mark 1:13).

Nehemiah fasted in spiritual grief when he heard the state of Jerusalem. He fasted to confess the sins of Israel and gain permission to rebuild. (Nehemiah 1:4).

David fasted when his enemies were treating him unjustly (Psalm 35:13).

The Ninevites fasted after they heard Jonah’s proclamation (Jonah 3:5) and all of them from greatest to least, fasted in repentance and humility, wearing sackcloth.

Acts 13:2 recounts the members of the early church ministering accompanied by fasting, to seek confirmation of elder appointments. (see Acts 14:23 also).

Paul fasted for three days after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:9).

Fasting is always combined with prayer. Paul fasted often. (2 Corinthians 11:27). He could have been thinking of fasting in this verse:

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27).

So it seems from these examples and of course many others not listed here, that fasting is a regular spiritual activity for the Christian. One can fast for guidance, to gain spiritual strength, for clarity on a situation, to commune with God, to rectify a situation, to dispel self-sufficiency, to renew zeal (Mark 2:18-20), and other spiritual reasons, fasting is something that any Christian can and probably should do. Jesus seemed to say that it would be a regular activity, and gave directions for its proper implementation, though He did not command it. (Matthew 6:16-18).

I’ve fasted several times. I fasted for 3 days when I discovered a previous pastor had plagiarized all his sermons from other people and pretended they were his own. I needed God’s guidance to determine what I should do and how to approach the situation, or with whom.

I fasted prior to approaching a Ladies’ Minister who loved Beth Moore with my concerns about Beth Moore.

I fasted when our elders were planning and planting our new church.

I fasted on behalf of lifting a person to the Lord who was in a bad way.

All those were accompanied by prayer, too.

How do you deal with fasting? Have you done it? Do you enjoy it?

John MacArthur ends his sermon linked above this way:

God has given us every good thing to enjoy. Beloved enjoy it. But when you’re in a spiritual struggle and you’re consumed with the things of God, know this, that it’s right to abstain from those things to continue your concentration and your focus on that which is spiritual and divine. God help us to be more sensitive so that fasting in its truest sense can be a part of our lives.

 

Posted in encouragement, theology

“Dear Woman Feeling Called to Ministry…” By Ayanna Thomas

Posted on by elizabethprata

I like what Ayanna Thomas has to say. She makes sense, is humble, insightful, and joyous. Here is the start of her Instagram piece today: Read the rest here.

ayanna

“I know how you feel. You see so many women around you “stepping into their calling.” And you feel this urge to do something too. You scroll your feeds, wishing you could just launch your blog, start a local women’s group, deliver talks at conferences, like everyone else. It feels like you’ll never be able to walk in the gift(s) God has given you and you aren’t really even sure if you’re convinced of what that looks like.” 

“But let me encourage you with something…“

 

Read the rest of her encouraging comment, then browse her Instagram account, lots of good stuff!

Posted in encouragement, theology

What is Love?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Valentine’s Day is done and in the books. When you work in an elementary school in a lower grade, V-day as the kids call it, is almost as popular as Christmas. Even more so, because we’re in school for the cupid holiday and out of school for the Santa one.

The kids are so cute exchanging cards and little candies and they get excited over all of them. My teacher had brought in donuts and a juice box and they ate their snack and drank their drink and watched an old Disney movie for a few minutes, continued from the Christmas party. They considered the Valentine’s day ‘party’ a huge success.

But the day of love brings about thoughts on What is Love? as Haddaway sang in 1992. (Yes I’m that old). My notion of love was certainly different back then, as I was not saved. I often asked that question. I Wanna Know What Love Is, Foreigner asked and so did I. I was a child of divorced parents. I saw adultery, abuse, open marriage, betrayals, and disownments within the family and out. Growing up in the 1950s and 70s was confusing and a child of the world certainly had no clue about what love was. Cupid and Aphrodite didn’t help explain it, either.

Well, if one is saved by the grace of Jesus through the cross, one knows what love is. It’s not the ephemeral, cupid-like arrow dart Shot Through the Heart, which fades away. Eros is a fickle friend. It’s not the false promises that Whitney Houston sang in I Will Always Love You, because the flesh only loves itself.

Love is the love that Jesus gives and is. (1 John 4:7-21). It is sacrificial, endless, and pure. It will never die and will always surround us with its promise and never fade away. Jesus loved His disciples to the end and (John 13:1) He loves His people forever. (Romans 8:39). And so we love Him because He first loved us.

Here are a few resources for you about love-

The Prominence of Love (sermon)

You say, “Well, where does it [love] come from?”  Well, we’ve said this last time, I’m simply going to remind you of it:  When you walk in the Spirit – and to walk in the Spirit means you turn your life to His control, you confess your sin, you allow the Spirit of God to govern your thought patterns – as the Spirit of God controls you, He produces fruit, and the fruit of the Spirit is love, and love will only come in that way.  So the way you approach it is not in a self-righteous determination of your own mind; the way you approach it is simply to yield your life to the Spirit of God, “Holy Spirit, control me today, take over my life, live through me,” and the fruit of love will be manifest.

To Those Who Crave Controversy (Essay by John Newton)

If you account him a believer, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab concerning Absalom, are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves him and bears with him; therefore you must not despise him, or treat him harshly. The Lord bears with you likewise, and expects that you should show tenderness to others, from a sense of the much forgiveness you need yourself. In a little while you will meet in heaven; he will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now. Anticipate that period in your thoughts; and though you may find it necessary to oppose his errors, view him personally as a kindred soul, with whom you are to be happy in Christ forever.

How does a person love Jesus? What does it mean to love Jesus?

Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends (John 15:13). Jesus did this and more by dying for us while we were still His enemies in order to make us His friends (Romans 5:8). Much of what it means to love Jesus comes from understanding and appreciating what Jesus has done and is doing for us. We love Jesus because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

How Can I Love Christ More? (essay)

In his book, The True Christian’s Love to the Unseen Christ, the Puritan Thomas Vincent offers nine directions that will lead you to your desired destination. Meditate on Christ – Direction 1: “Be much in contemplation of Christ.”

Still (!!!!) Single

I am 25 years old. I have been single for the past…25 years. I have never been kissed. I have never gone on a date. I have never received a note in class that said, “Do you like me? Check yes or no.”

 

love verse 4

Posted in encouragement, theology

You Are Not Alone: Lessons from Elijah

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Poor Elijah. He really went through it, didn’t he? He was surrounded on all sides by non-believers. They were vigorous in their false faith and Elijah was vexed to the extreme. It’s really hard to be the only one in a place where you are the only one who knows the truth and proclaims it, yet no one else will listen.

Finally after a time of build-up, there was a showdown. You know the story. Under God’s direction, Elijah set a contest with the Baal Priests and false Prophets and of course God won. Then God told Elijah to kill all 450 prophets of Baal and Elijah did. When Elijah heard how angry Queen Jezebel was to have lost all her Priests, and she said she would kill Elijah, Elijah ran away. He ran and he ran and he ran until he was exhausted. Then he cried out to the LORD-

“And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:9-10).

Remember, these Prophets were men after all. Regular men. They served the LORD directly and were given the charge and the ability to receive His Word and repeat it to the people. But their work was thankless, emotionally draining, and lonely. No one loved a prophet. (John 4:44)

Elijah was not a glorified man, nor a superhuman man. He was a regular person. And he had just gone through a debilitating and lengthy ordeal of fruitlessly trying speaking the Word of the LORD to the people, and they refused to hear. Then he went through an awful but glorious contest where the LORD manifested Himself to all. How would you react if the LORD manifested Himself in front of you? The reaction of the prophets and the apostles who see or hear God’s glory fall down as dead men. (Rev 1:17; Is 6:5; John 18:6; Acts 9:4; 1 Kings 18:39).

Not only did Elijah live through a great and powerful manifestation of God’s glory, he had to then go and kill 450 people. Personally.  “…Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.” (1 Kings 18:40b). The most highly decorated heroes of warfare in our own day receive commendations for having slain fewer of the enemy and most of those were not for hand to hand combat.

By now Elijah hides in a cave, thinks he is the last believer and cries out the God that he is finished, he wants to die. I don’t blame him.

So the man is tired, spiritually drained, afraid for his life, and alone. Or he thinks he is alone. The first thing God does is send an angel to comfort Elijah. (1 Kings 19:5). The angel gently touched Elijah’s shoulder, and refreshed him with food and drink. Elijah was not alone.

The next thing that happened was the God spoke to Elijah. He told Elijah to listen, and there the LORD sent wind and rockslides and tumultuous earthquakes but He was not in the wind nor the rocks nor the tumult, He was in the still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:12). Elijah was not alone.

God told Elijah that “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18.) Elijah was not alone.

God told Elijah to go to a certain town and find Elisha and anoint him as prophet to succeed Elijah. Just as Elijah was growing weariest, God gave him light at the end of the tunnel, and showed him that his time of service was nearing an end. He needed to train Elisha, and then Elisha will take over “in your place.” (1 Kings 19:16b). He would have a helper for a while. Elijah was not alone.

Best of all, Elijah knew to whom to cry out, and God answered. God was with Elijah. Elijah was not alone.

Elijah was blessed to have the LORD personally tell him he was not alone in his faith. But by that same token, because of its inclusion in the Bible, the Lord is telling us today that we are not alone. He sends His Spirit to us. He sends His unknown angels to us. He sends encouragers to us. He sends His Word to us. He sends hopeful doctrine to us so that we have light at the end of the tunnel, hope in the rapture of believers. We pray to Jesus and He hears us.

We are never alone. We may feel as Elijah does, weary and dispirited in the service, with no one nearby who is like-minded. We may live in a town where there are no other Bible believing Christians within your field of vision, as Elijah had thought, but we belong to a body. That body extends worldwide, and we are part of it. We are not alone, not one of us.

This essay first appeared in April, 2011. It’s been edited lightly.

Posted in encouragement, theology

Don’t let discouragement capture you

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’ve been quietly grieving and upset about the abortion issue. When NY passed the abortion on demand anytime law, I wrote to a friend and predicted that soon we will be confronted with abortions in the birth canal, then simply killings outside the womb.

I was shocked and frankly, surprised, at how quickly my intuition had come true. Two days later VA proposed a bill in committee which would allow just that. I was sickened and turned my head, eyes, and attention away from the discussion.

But the disquiet remained. It was in there. A discouragement curled itself into my heart, and began squeezing. My mind’s countenance fell.

I do not like to remain in discouragement, so I sought the Lord in Bible reading, prayer, and listening to good lessons about Him. This was the remedy.

This Bible verse helped me. Isaiah 6:3 says

And they were calling to one another:

 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says,

The whole earth – Margin, ‘The earth is the fulness of his glory.’ All things which he has made on the earth express his glory. His wisdom and goodness, his power and holiness, are seen every where. The whole earth, with all its mountains, seas, streams, trees, animals, and people, lay the foundation of his praise. In accordance with this, the Psalmist, in a most beautiful composition, calls upon all things to praise him; see Psalm 148:1-14.

Just being outside with the birds, (I saw a killdeer for the first time!) and listening to them tweeting reminded me of God in His glory. The grass here is green and the trees, while most of them are bare, are majestic in their branches reaching for the blue sky. The sun was warm on my shoulders. I felt refreshed in pondering the LORD’S creativity and power in making all this with just His word. And energized by thinking of Jesus for sustaining it all, every moment. (Colossians 1:17).

The earth is filled with His glory now, and after the new earth is made, it will be saturated with it but with no curse,  and more! The beauty will be astounding. It already is.

I particularly enjoyed this remedy: Q&A between Phil Johnson and John MacArthur on the Sovereignty of God. Focusing on God and His attributes is always healthy for the heart and mind and soul. Turning my gaze from my own tendril-clutched heart and darkly clouded mind to His glory, His love, His power, His sovereignty is THE remedy. I pass this along to you as a good help for what might be ailing you in these dark end of days. I found their discussion early on about Job especially uplifting.

–Why is there evil?
–Do we have to submit to evil rulers?
–Why does God save some and not others?
–What is the freedom of the will? The bondage of the will?
–Will many be saved?
–Does satan have power to thwart God?

and more. Click on the link below to listen

Answering the Big Questions about the Sovereignty of God

Don’t let the mews of the day get you down. The earth is full of His glory. He is on His throne, nothing is a surprise to Him.  He is coming again, in glory and power to receive us to Himself. Jesus has raised up leaders like Phil Johnson and John MacArthur and others, and created technology to send out these edifying discussions, in which men clarify His word and exalt the Lord.

It is all refreshing, energizing, and reviving. It is a comfort to think of Him. Don’t let the news of the day get you down.

Posted in encouragement, theology

Prayerful interlude

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18).

The wrath is already revealed, and they know it but suppress it. They can suppress the truth all day long, all a lifetime long, deceiving themselves that they have successfully avoided God, and thus, their judgment…but ultimately, when they are confronted with the Holy God, they will hide.

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)

Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. (Revelation 6:15)

There will come a day that no one will be able to hide.

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

I often think about my life before salvation. Half my life will have been lived in rebellion to God (if I live to age 84, that is.)

I suppressed the truth, I rebelled, I was self-satisfied, I mocked God. Yet, before I was born, He had set me apart to become His trophy of Grace at the appointed year, day, moment, to glorify Him, redeemed and clean. (cf Galatians 1:15).

In the Garden He opened their eyes to see their own sin. (Genesis 3:7). Yet that opening plunged them into spiritual darkness, never again to see the glory of their Creator with wide-open eyes. At salvation He opens eyes, (Acts 9:18; Ephesians 1:18) to see Him in His glorious light, to know and understand spiritual things.

When He spoke to Adam and Eve after their rebellion, when He spoke to Noah, Abram, Moses…how is it that they did not just shatter into a billion dust motes, scattering across the four compass points like chaff? He is powerful, majestic, yet intimate.

My prayer today Lord is
for you to forgive
my critical mind
my craven heart
my lazy bones
Overlook my childish attempts to glorify you

Pardon my sins
perfidies
disobedience
Wash me in your love
clean my by your forgiveness

provide for me your comfort

send to me your angels

sanctify my prayers.

And He will, for I was plucked out of the darkness to dwell in His Light, eyes wide open, loving Him.

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19).

loveverse2

Posted in encouragement, theology

God CANNOT forsake you

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I know we sometimes have a hard time understanding the permanent perfect love, such as the love the Triune God lavishes on his saved children.

With child abuse, abortion, abandonment, betrayals, and divorce, the love we say we have for others is oftentimes fatally flawed.

However, when Jesus says He will not leave you or forsake you, He means it. It’s not up for discussion.

When we’re saved, we become part of the Body of Christ.  Therefore, when God looks at us, He sees His Son. We are as Paul would say, “in Christ.” (Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 3:1, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 15:18, etc.) When He looks at you, He is looking through His Son to see you.

If God were to decide not to love us (which He wouldn’t because He promised to love us forever and He does not fail in His promises) He would be deciding not to love His Son. And that is impossible.

Never fear, if you are “in Christ” you are safely in the arms of God, never not to be loved, never not to be cherished, cared for, provided for. If you struggle with assurance of God’s love, leave the struggle behind God loves His Son and He loves all that are in His Son, you, me, all.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 136:26

love forever verse

Posted in encouragement, theology

Give God gratitude for salvation

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

When I was growing up our family belonged to a country club. It had nice grounds, ice cream and Popsicles in the clubhouse, yum, and two huge pools. One was a kiddie splash pool. The other was an olympic sized pool with a shallow end, a deep end, and a jut-out where there were two diving boards. One was short and the other seemed as high as a skyscraper.

Of course when you’re a kid, your parents put you in the kiddie pool first.

popsicle gal pool
Then when you grow a bit and become a more confident swimmer, you can go in the big pool. You splash around and play and have fun in the shallow end. After a while when you’re ready, you venture into the deeper water.

The biggest goal is to pluck up the courage to climb all those steps on the high diving board and jump off.

Our growth in sanctification is like that. At first we’re on milk, not meat, though meat is the goal. As time passes in our studies, we begin to understand the plain meanings of short verses, then grow in understanding and have insight into the deeper meanings. We learn nuances of words, historical contexts, the culture of the time, and theological constructs. Soon we feel confident enough to debate and get involved in hair-splitting controversies, defending and exhorting the faith.

It’s good to get back into the kiddie pool for a while. It’s wise to remember the plain things. Exult in the commonplace verses. You never, ever ‘grow out of’ those, you know. It’s good to just get back to the beginning and bask in that initial feeling of joy you had when you were first saved.

Contemplate your salvation.

Our church had its annual retreat this weekend. about 70 of us from all ages piled into a mountain resort for three sessions of learning “Ordinary Faithfulness.” In between sessions we either spent time in solitary study and contemplation in the different corners of the property, or fellowshipping together in a hike along the waterfall, or visiting the nearby town.

The lessons we were taught during the retreat were fantastic, and I enjoyed them. They were edifying. As I spent time in solitary thought back at the retreat center in between sessions, my mind and heart locked on to the ‘basic’ truth.

I would not be here if not for Jesus. None of us would be at this mountain today if not for Jesus. I owe SO MUCH to His decision (not mine) to yank me out of sin and into His throne room. I owe Him all for giving me the spirit of Repentance, and lifting the scales that had been firmly glued to my eyes for 4 decades. The thrill of salvation itself and all its mystery, wonder, and glory never fades.

Do you savor your salvation? Actively thank Jesus for it? Remember the ‘simple things.’ Salvation is grace itself.

There would be no manifestation of God’s grace or true goodness, if there was no sin to be pardoned, no misery to be saved from. ~Jonathan Edwards

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Posted in encouragement, theology

‘Ordinary faithfulness,’ Church retreat 2019

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I attended our annual church retreat this weekend, at Sautee Mountain Resort. I just got home. It was a delightful time of learning, song, and fellowship in the mountains of North Georgia. Instead of the usual theological post or book/movie review I write here, I’ll just post a few photos. I’m still processing the experience, but hopefully soon I’ll reformat my notes and post what I learned. What I can say at this point is that I’m grateful for my church family, our leaders, and the Lord. 🙂

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Posted in encouragement, theology

Habakkuk’s pain is our pain

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…(2 Timothy 3:1-4)

As you see the people all over the world wantonly killing, sinuously infiltrating societies only to choke them off, and the rest of the ungodly continuing unrighteous ways without ceasing, the righteous cry out, ‘Oh, God, why do the wicked prosper?’

Habakkuk asked the same thing. If you want a picture of a beleaguered prophet asking, and asking, why do things have to be this way, then you have Habakkuk in 620BC.

Habakkuk expresses the attitude that many righteous people have. He is outraged at the violence and injustice in his society. He lists six different problems. His list is repetitious, but it emphasizes just how bad things were. There was sin, wickedness, destruction and violence, no justice in the courts, and the wicked outnumbered the righteous. Sort of like today, eh?

Habakkuk puts his questions to God and in His grace they are answered. Habakkuk listens, is calmed, and ends with a Hymn of faith: Habakkuk 3:17-19,

Though the fig tree may not blossom,     
Nor fruit be on the vines;     
Though the labor of the olive may fail,     
And the fields yield no food;     
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,   
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,   
 I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

God will judge all the wicked. We praise Him for that.

God will always love all His righteous (made righteous through Christ). And we praise Him for that.

He is worthy of praise. This temporary earthly time of pain and sin will end. And then…glory.

May your feet be like deer’s feet wherever you tread this week!

praise verse