Rodney Burton's Blog
April 23, 2014
Grace and Work
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We have heard it many times. We are saved by grace through faith. I am beyond thankful for that truth. I do not even want to imagine my life without the grace of Jesus Christ. I spent so much time trying to justify myself and find some level or sense of peace in and through my actions. Then, one day I found all that I ever could want or need in the person of Jesus Christ. His grace was and is sufficient for me to be given life and salvation. When I chose to put my faith in Him and His finished work everything changed. For that I am eternally grateful.
Grace is defined as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ. It is not something we have or could ever earn. It is not something for which we could ever be worthy or deserving. It was the choice of Jesus Christ to come to earth, live a sinless life, die an excruciating death, be resurrected and return to Heaven so that we could experience life and salvation through Him. It is truly remarkable all that He has done for us.
Verse 9 tells us it is not of our own “work,” so that none of us can boast about how we saved ourselves. In the Greek “work” is “ergon” which means work, task, employment; a deed, action; that which is wrought or made, a work. It is a work or worker who accomplishes something, a deed or action that carries out or completes an inner desire or intention or purpose.
In other words we cannot accomplish or complete our salvation in Christ through any deed, action or work. It simply does not lie within our ability to do the work of Christ in our life. He is the author and the finisher of our faith and salvation (Hebrews 12:2). There is no question from a biblical standpoint that we cannot earn what grace has freely given to us.
Nonetheless, there is another verse to consider within this context and discourse by Paul to the church in Ephesus. We read this:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are his workmanship. We are made by Him. A quick look at the account of creation from Genesis reveals that God has never made anything without purpose. He made the sun to give light to and govern the day. He made the moon to give light to and govern the night. He made the sea and waters to house the fish. He made the land to house man and animals. You get the point. Every part of His workmanship has been made on purpose and with purpose. So, what then is the purpose of the one who has been “saved by grace through faith?”
We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” There is that “works” word again. Interestingly enough it is the same Greek word as we looked at in verse 9. While Paul is emphatically saying that we do not work to earn our salvation, he is also emphatically saying that our new creation, our new place of salvation, is for good works that God has prepared for us to do.
The specific usage of this “work” in verse 10 speaks of every good work that springs from piety or righteousness. To me it is best described as the things we do as a result of what Christ has done in us. I do not work to earn my salvation. I work and serve passionately because of the salvation I have been given. I work and serve passionately the One Who is worthy of my best at all times. I do not want to sit around and take for granted the precious grace gift He has given me.
I want to honor Him in and through all that I do. I want my life and the work of my life to serve as a living testimony to the grace of Jesus Christ, and not as a dead representation of genuine Kingdom Power.
I understand many will disagree with me in this. I understand this is not a popular topic in our “church culture.” But I gave up wanting to be popular a long time ago. I want all that my Savior has for me. I want to be faithful to Him. I can never earn His grace. I can never repay Him for His grace. But I am determined to live my life, and do my work for Him, with passionate intent to honor His grace. In concluding, consider a few other scriptural thoughts along these lines:
Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Even God’s Word carries the purpose of preparing us for work:
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
We have heard it many times. We are saved by grace through faith. I am beyond thankful for that truth. I do not even want to imagine my life without the grace of Jesus Christ. I spent so much time trying to justify myself and find some level or sense of peace in and through my actions. Then, one day I found all that I ever could want or need in the person of Jesus Christ. His grace was and is sufficient for me to be given life and salvation. When I chose to put my faith in Him and His finished work everything changed. For that I am eternally grateful.
Grace is defined as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ. It is not something we have or could ever earn. It is not something for which we could ever be worthy or deserving. It was the choice of Jesus Christ to come to earth, live a sinless life, die an excruciating death, be resurrected and return to Heaven so that we could experience life and salvation through Him. It is truly remarkable all that He has done for us.
Verse 9 tells us it is not of our own “work,” so that none of us can boast about how we saved ourselves. In the Greek “work” is “ergon” which means work, task, employment; a deed, action; that which is wrought or made, a work. It is a work or worker who accomplishes something, a deed or action that carries out or completes an inner desire or intention or purpose.
In other words we cannot accomplish or complete our salvation in Christ through any deed, action or work. It simply does not lie within our ability to do the work of Christ in our life. He is the author and the finisher of our faith and salvation (Hebrews 12:2). There is no question from a biblical standpoint that we cannot earn what grace has freely given to us.
Nonetheless, there is another verse to consider within this context and discourse by Paul to the church in Ephesus. We read this:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We are his workmanship. We are made by Him. A quick look at the account of creation from Genesis reveals that God has never made anything without purpose. He made the sun to give light to and govern the day. He made the moon to give light to and govern the night. He made the sea and waters to house the fish. He made the land to house man and animals. You get the point. Every part of His workmanship has been made on purpose and with purpose. So, what then is the purpose of the one who has been “saved by grace through faith?”
We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” There is that “works” word again. Interestingly enough it is the same Greek word as we looked at in verse 9. While Paul is emphatically saying that we do not work to earn our salvation, he is also emphatically saying that our new creation, our new place of salvation, is for good works that God has prepared for us to do.
The specific usage of this “work” in verse 10 speaks of every good work that springs from piety or righteousness. To me it is best described as the things we do as a result of what Christ has done in us. I do not work to earn my salvation. I work and serve passionately because of the salvation I have been given. I work and serve passionately the One Who is worthy of my best at all times. I do not want to sit around and take for granted the precious grace gift He has given me.
I want to honor Him in and through all that I do. I want my life and the work of my life to serve as a living testimony to the grace of Jesus Christ, and not as a dead representation of genuine Kingdom Power.
I understand many will disagree with me in this. I understand this is not a popular topic in our “church culture.” But I gave up wanting to be popular a long time ago. I want all that my Savior has for me. I want to be faithful to Him. I can never earn His grace. I can never repay Him for His grace. But I am determined to live my life, and do my work for Him, with passionate intent to honor His grace. In concluding, consider a few other scriptural thoughts along these lines:
Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Even God’s Word carries the purpose of preparing us for work:
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
January 12, 2014
BOOK GIVEAWAY
I am giving away a softcover copy of all three of my books. Anyone who likes this post is automatically entered. The contest will run until January 30. At the end, three names will be drawn. The first name drawn will have their choice of book and so on.
July 31, 2013
25% DISCOUNT
Carrying the Torch for Revival
Get paperback copies for 25% off the list price of 8.99 by visiting the createspace site and using
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Get paperback copies for 25% off the list price of 8.99 by visiting the createspace site and using
COUPON CODE LHVDFV7K
https://www.createspace.com/4001869
January 14, 2013
REVIVAL BOOK
The first wave of online availability is here for Carrying the Torch for Revival
Visit https://www.createspace.com/4001869 to get a copy.
Visit https://www.createspace.com/4001869 to get a copy.
December 29, 2012
What about me, God?
We bought our son, Josiah, a police car power wheel for Christmas. The product inside the box did not look the same as the product he had seen many times on the shelf. Why? Well, some assembly was required of course. We began to put the car together and hit a bump or two along the way as you are always prone to do. But, the real issue was in putting the steering wheel on. Of course it wasn’t in some trivial piece that if it didn’t go on right wouldn’t make a difference. Nope. This was the steering wheel.
It consisted of a metal rod coming up through the dash and the steering column fitting over the rod and then putting a screw through 4 aligned holes. Simple enough. Yet, when it was in place for some odd reason it would not align and the screw would not go in. We tried and tried and tried. So, being a man of faith and power I did what a good preacher would do. I prayed and believed that God would unleash His angels to align that screw and it would be taken care of. Yet, the screw still would not go in.
Well, that set me off. I was not a happy camper. I began to tell God how it was such a simple request and how He had answered much bigger things for me and others. How on earth could I ever trust Him for something big when He wouldn’t even answer something so small? I was getting offended because of Him. And, it wasn’t a light and momentary thing. I got really frustrated.
I started talking about how He was letting me down and I didn’t know if I could trust Him ever again. I went for a walk with my hood on and my head down. I prayed simply, “GOD, DO NOT TALK TO ME!” He didn’t, but what I heard was me making two statements while preaching or teaching recently.
I heard myself say, “It is better to pray and believe and attempt something for God and fail than to never attempt anything and succeed.” I told God that didn’t apply in something so simple.
Then, I heard myself say, “God is not going to jump through anyone’s hoops and do anything just because they ask.” Then, I heard the still small voice of God say, "Not even for you, son."
Needless to say, I didn’t like either of those statements. The worst part was, I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD SAID THEM. After I finally got over myself, I came across something that led me to the following passage of Scripture that brought my simple situation into a whole new light.
Luke 7:18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’”21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
If you consider John the Baptist for a moment, you realize that he had grown up close to Jesus - being his cousin didn't hurt - and he had been directly involved in the ministry of preparing people for the coming and ministry of Jesus Himself. Yet, when he was in jail he was offended. John was offended that Jesus was doing all of the great things He was doing for everyone else, and yet the great servant John was in jail. How was it fair for Jesus to not swoop to John's rescue? Jesus summed up one of the most important lessons any of us can ever learn:
Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.
To be blessed of God is to be fortunate or advantaged of God. To take offense can literally mean to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging him and his authority. The issue for John and the issue for us is that we can become offended at Christ for not meeting our "in the moment" need and forfeit or miss the blessing He desires to have on our lives. It can completely become the misfortune of sacrificing God's best on the altar of our disappointment of missing God's good. Consider this same verse in a more drawn out way (my own interpretation).
You will find yourself in the state of receiving God’s blessing and favor if you do not allow what I do or do not do to hinder you from acknowledging My authority.
John got offended because he was in jail. I got offended over a stupid screw in a power wheel. What about you? Do you have any offense toward Christ? It can be quite a stealer of God's blessing on your life. Is it worth it? The ultimate calling of God for all of us is to simply trust Him and to view and accept Him as God. Besides, isn't that what He is anyway?
It consisted of a metal rod coming up through the dash and the steering column fitting over the rod and then putting a screw through 4 aligned holes. Simple enough. Yet, when it was in place for some odd reason it would not align and the screw would not go in. We tried and tried and tried. So, being a man of faith and power I did what a good preacher would do. I prayed and believed that God would unleash His angels to align that screw and it would be taken care of. Yet, the screw still would not go in.
Well, that set me off. I was not a happy camper. I began to tell God how it was such a simple request and how He had answered much bigger things for me and others. How on earth could I ever trust Him for something big when He wouldn’t even answer something so small? I was getting offended because of Him. And, it wasn’t a light and momentary thing. I got really frustrated.
I started talking about how He was letting me down and I didn’t know if I could trust Him ever again. I went for a walk with my hood on and my head down. I prayed simply, “GOD, DO NOT TALK TO ME!” He didn’t, but what I heard was me making two statements while preaching or teaching recently.
I heard myself say, “It is better to pray and believe and attempt something for God and fail than to never attempt anything and succeed.” I told God that didn’t apply in something so simple.
Then, I heard myself say, “God is not going to jump through anyone’s hoops and do anything just because they ask.” Then, I heard the still small voice of God say, "Not even for you, son."
Needless to say, I didn’t like either of those statements. The worst part was, I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD SAID THEM. After I finally got over myself, I came across something that led me to the following passage of Scripture that brought my simple situation into a whole new light.
Luke 7:18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’”21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”
If you consider John the Baptist for a moment, you realize that he had grown up close to Jesus - being his cousin didn't hurt - and he had been directly involved in the ministry of preparing people for the coming and ministry of Jesus Himself. Yet, when he was in jail he was offended. John was offended that Jesus was doing all of the great things He was doing for everyone else, and yet the great servant John was in jail. How was it fair for Jesus to not swoop to John's rescue? Jesus summed up one of the most important lessons any of us can ever learn:
Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.
To be blessed of God is to be fortunate or advantaged of God. To take offense can literally mean to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging him and his authority. The issue for John and the issue for us is that we can become offended at Christ for not meeting our "in the moment" need and forfeit or miss the blessing He desires to have on our lives. It can completely become the misfortune of sacrificing God's best on the altar of our disappointment of missing God's good. Consider this same verse in a more drawn out way (my own interpretation).
You will find yourself in the state of receiving God’s blessing and favor if you do not allow what I do or do not do to hinder you from acknowledging My authority.
John got offended because he was in jail. I got offended over a stupid screw in a power wheel. What about you? Do you have any offense toward Christ? It can be quite a stealer of God's blessing on your life. Is it worth it? The ultimate calling of God for all of us is to simply trust Him and to view and accept Him as God. Besides, isn't that what He is anyway?
December 7, 2012
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31 Keys to Possessing Your Promise
November 15, 2012
November 12, 2012
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Visit https://www.createspace.com/3994109 to start saving today.
November 7, 2012
God Responds
When Jeroboam turned the people away from worship of The God of Israel, the established atmosphere was pregnant with possibilities for a move of God. How many times have we encountered a situation with the mindset of, “Well if it were me I would . . . ?" There must have been many who were awaiting something drastic and supernatural from God. While we are implored to expect and anticipate great things from God, we must balance that with a willingness to trust God in whatever it is that He chooses to do. Situations and circumstances may not always line up with our preference, but God is always trustworthy. We are called by God to trust Him with all of our heart. While our mind may not be able to grasp what is taking place; in our hearts, where Christ dwells, we can have the peace and assurance that God is truly in control.
God is truly a God of order. He controls and directs all things. Throughout the Bible we find that He is always timely and specific in His actions. While it might be easy to assume that in this situation or in others like it, God is going to immediately act and prove Himself - that is not necessarily the case. While it might be easy to assume that when God doesn’t immediately react it somehow makes Him weak or careless - that is definitely not the case. There is such a difference between reaction and response. It is of natural order and even physics to react; every action is met by an equal and opposite reaction. It is automatic. Yet, a response is not automatic. It is thought out. It is what is best in light of the big picture. A reaction is in the moment, a response is with a longer term perspective.
Whereas a reaction may seem appropriate and even beneficial in the moment, the lasting consequences can sometimes undo any immediately realized good.
Perspective need not be limited to the moment at hand. While we are able to view our segment of the puzzle, God has the entire finished product in clear view. God will not get ahead of Himself.
God is truly a God of order. He controls and directs all things. Throughout the Bible we find that He is always timely and specific in His actions. While it might be easy to assume that in this situation or in others like it, God is going to immediately act and prove Himself - that is not necessarily the case. While it might be easy to assume that when God doesn’t immediately react it somehow makes Him weak or careless - that is definitely not the case. There is such a difference between reaction and response. It is of natural order and even physics to react; every action is met by an equal and opposite reaction. It is automatic. Yet, a response is not automatic. It is thought out. It is what is best in light of the big picture. A reaction is in the moment, a response is with a longer term perspective.
Whereas a reaction may seem appropriate and even beneficial in the moment, the lasting consequences can sometimes undo any immediately realized good.
Perspective need not be limited to the moment at hand. While we are able to view our segment of the puzzle, God has the entire finished product in clear view. God will not get ahead of Himself.
November 6, 2012
When is the Right Time to Praise?
Have you ever been in a battle? OK, who among us hasn’t? The better question is probably have you ever wondered how you were going to make it through a battle? I often find it interesting to see how different people face and deal with the battles in their lives. How many times have you or I been in a battle and wondered if God was able to deliver or help us? How many times have we wondered what the outcome was going to be and if this just might be the battle that destroys us completely?
That brings me to my thought for today. When do we praise God? When is the right time to praise Him? Generally speaking, many of us take the Miriam approach and praise God when the battle is over and we have clearly won. I am referring to Exodus 15, after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. In that chapter, Miriam, Moses’ sister, picked up a tambourine and had herself a praise party.
Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. 21 Miriam answered them, “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”
It is very common and very appropriate to praise God for the good things He has done. So many times we could talk about how He has come to our aid and brought victory and deliverance. Of course He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving in those moments.
Yet there is another approach that we find in Scripture. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat was facing a battle with Moab and Ammon. There was fear and uncertainty among the people as to whether or not they could be victorious. Yet, we find a powerful principle instituted that day. They went into the battle in praise.
2 Chronicles 20:20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
This one is a bit less common. How many of us ever find ourselves entering a battle in an attitude or mindset of praise? Yet, how often do we come out of a battle in the same manner in which we entered the battle? If we go into a battle with a mindset of defeat we come out of the battle defeated.
Therefore, the challenge that is before us is this –
PRAISE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BATTLE!!
Is this easy? Nope. Is it natural? Not usually. Is it powerful? You better believe it. And seeing as usually we are either going into a battle, in the midst of a battle, or just coming out of a battle, that means the answer to my question of when is the right time to praise is this – THE RIGHT TIME IS NOW.
That brings me to my thought for today. When do we praise God? When is the right time to praise Him? Generally speaking, many of us take the Miriam approach and praise God when the battle is over and we have clearly won. I am referring to Exodus 15, after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. In that chapter, Miriam, Moses’ sister, picked up a tambourine and had herself a praise party.
Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. 21 Miriam answered them, “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”
It is very common and very appropriate to praise God for the good things He has done. So many times we could talk about how He has come to our aid and brought victory and deliverance. Of course He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving in those moments.
Yet there is another approach that we find in Scripture. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat was facing a battle with Moab and Ammon. There was fear and uncertainty among the people as to whether or not they could be victorious. Yet, we find a powerful principle instituted that day. They went into the battle in praise.
2 Chronicles 20:20 They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
This one is a bit less common. How many of us ever find ourselves entering a battle in an attitude or mindset of praise? Yet, how often do we come out of a battle in the same manner in which we entered the battle? If we go into a battle with a mindset of defeat we come out of the battle defeated.
Therefore, the challenge that is before us is this –
PRAISE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BATTLE!!
Is this easy? Nope. Is it natural? Not usually. Is it powerful? You better believe it. And seeing as usually we are either going into a battle, in the midst of a battle, or just coming out of a battle, that means the answer to my question of when is the right time to praise is this – THE RIGHT TIME IS NOW.
