"Behind the Glory"

 Reflections4Life™ January 29, 2023

“Behind The Glory”

“Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 15:13; 27:19; Jeremiah 17; Hosea 7; Colossians 2; 3…

You may hear me giving God the glory. You may witness me lifting up my hands in praise, bowing my head in prayer, turning down my plate for fasting, and hear me often say, “Glory to my God Most High”. Yet, my current circumstances bewilder you. You cannot wrap your physical mind around how and why I am praising God. What could I possibly have to be thankful for? From your point of view, I am losing; have already lost the battle; abandoned by God in my time of need. You cannot understand the reason why I still give praises to God. That is because you do not know my entire story. Moreover, some know nothing at all.

I decree this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. It is a guarantee that not everyone will understand or know anything about us but will assume almost everything. Your mission this week is to stay the course. Regardless of who may know you or not, it is not their opinion that matters the most, it is the word of God. Whatever the Father speaks of your life matters. Continue to give God the glory as He transitions you through the different changes and levels in your life. There is power in your story and when God has fully prepared you, you will speak and share your testimony. Until then, do not mind those who do not understand. Instead, pray for them and keep things moving.

You may not understand the reason behind the glory some give to God, as they may not understand yours. Whether your life portrays good or bad times; hard or easy times, it does not always reveal what is going on behind closed doors or in the depths of your heart. The heart holds many things, and God our Father knows them all.

Some will see the pain we are in but never understand the reason for our pain or our sorrow. They don’t know our story, nor can they understand the reason why we would still give God the glory if we are in so much pain and sorrow. They do not understand the power of our praise. They do not understand the healing that comes from worship. Many were not taught the power of praise and worship in a person’s life that is going through. They are not aware of the transition that takes place in the heavens and in the spirit, which lays the seed for a greater harvest. Far too many want a quick fix to their situations and when they do not receive it, they give up; give up on God and stop having faith.

You may have watched and witnessed some things in a person’s life, and it boggles your mind how that person—knowing some of what they have gone through and continue to go through—could have such faith and still worship a God that seems to have forgotten them. It makes one wonder what many have or have not learned about the heart of God, spiritual armor, and facing spiritual warfare.

There are those, also, who do not understand why we hold onto faith, pray, and praise God when so much trouble continues to come our way. They are convinced that we have done something wrong. We are not as faithful as we profess but have secret sins, and this is why we suffer. According to their theory, we need to confess and tell the truth and then God will make everything right. After all, why would such atrocities or such attacks from the enemy continue for so long if we are blameless, and have been living accordingly? Sounds like Job's friends in the book of Job, huh?

Beloved, if you will, consider Job. His “friends” and even his wife did not understand why Job chose to continue to praise God; to bless His Holy Name after all he had suffered and lost. Job was harassed and told to admit what he had done and return to God. To accept God into his heart again so God would restore him. His wife told him to curse his God and die. They had no idea that God was in control. Job, himself, almost forgot as well. Pain will do that to you. As well as, constant words and bickering from those around you who just do not understand.

Wallowing in self-pity, Job recalls God’s love and kindness; even to those who are unrighteous, he recalls the goodness and mercy of God. (Job 26:5-14; 27:1-6) Yet, Job still suffered and his friends still had no answers only questions and speculations. A young man (Elihu) who looks up to Job reproves Job and his friends. (Job 35-37). God then speaks to humbling Job and showing him where he needed growth, chastising his friends, and then bringing restoration to the life of Job. (Job 41; 42)

Here is what I know: No one but God may ever know the whole story and the why behind your praise and glory. However, when you serve a mighty God and He has brought you through countless things, you gain an understanding of who God is, especially in your own life, and who you are in Him. However, people slay you, with their words, thoughts, and summations about your life. Their accusations and actions hurt you to the core; when you know inside your heart that you are indeed walking with God, you continue to give Him the glory in spite, because you know and understand that sorrow and mourning may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. God will indeed vindicate you.

You may not know how long your night will be. How long your Job experience will last. However, you do know that God’s love is unconditional and everlasting. That, His word is certain and His promises to you will indeed happen if you faint not, and do not rely on your emotions or your flesh, or give up or give in to the words and character assassination of others concerning you. Faith is the substance of all things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen. Though the promises may tarry; the visions seem a little long in coming, and the attacks of the enemy intensify, as long as you know in your heart that God has your back, you will lift your voice and heart in praise and worship, giving God the glory, knowing that you win at the end of your story.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Behind your glory, to the Lord God Almighty, is a story filled with hope, faith, and determination. You overcome through your worship, praise, and testimonies. Through you, God is going to bless many others; encouraging them to give God the glory. Regardless of what others may think their story is, they will know they win because God is on their side, honoring their faith and belief in Him. Remember, beloveds, we win! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.