GRATITUDE REMOVES TERROR
1 Corinthians 15
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalms 111:1-2
“Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.”
Three years ago, my family and I visited Paris. The beauty of the entire city stands tall just like its Eiffel Tower. I could not believe my eyes when I saw all that took place this week in Paris. It’s horrific to witness what a human heart is capable of when it does not have the Holy Spirit. My heart goes out to the people of Paris who lost loved ones and all those who are facing the acts of terrorism.
I keep asking myself now what? What is my role as a believer in this world? These terrorist attacks in Paris are probably not the last ones and what are we to do as the body of Christ? I know one thing and that is Satan wants us to live in terror and take our eyes off the Lord. Whatever we fear we empower. Like never before, we as believers are to rise and be the light and hope of the world. How are we as believers are to be the light for a world that is broken, frightened, full of hatred and fearful for the unknown? In Psalms 111:1-2, the Psalmist tells us to praise the Lord, to thank the Lord with all of our hearts as we meet others. We are to ponder and proclaim to all men the things God has done in spite of all that is going on around us. We are to uplift people with the word of God in these times of distress. Faith comes by hearing and they can only hear if we speak. As we proclaim faith, we will release hope in the hearts of many. Hope anchors the souls of men. This is not the hope like the world knows it. This is the hope that tells us that our God has won the victory. The reason why these terrorists are empowered is because they have no fear of death. They have been promised something after their death. How much more we as Christians who serve the True, Powerful God should take to heart what the word of God says. As Christians, we have Jesus who conquered death, hell and the grave. As long as we fear death and acts of terrorists, Satan will paralyze us with fear.
I am forever thankful for the Truth. 1 Corinthians 15 beautifully encourages:
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
It let’s us know not to fear death. Today as you read this beautiful passage by the Apostle Paul, I pray you find victory from terror surrounding our world. I pray you see that God has given us victory through Jesus. And because of this overwhelming victory we possess in Christ, we let nothing move us. But we give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. We will share the good news to those who, like in Paris, are facing the aftermath of ISIS attack, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, the loss of purpose and hope. Let’s not disconnect ourselves from what is going on in the world. Let’s look around our world to help those who are hurting and lost and let’s be the light and hope for them. Let’s do it one neighbor at time. As we do so, we will see God move amazingly and this will be the source of gratitude because this removes fear.