PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW!

I have chosen this as the sermon for this week because it is one I am finding that I need more and more often. I pray it might be a blessing to all who are conscious of daily trials and troubles.
The poem was written this week especially for this lesson and is a tribute to the encouragement from all of you and from my wife Edie who has been my help-meet for over sixty years.
freddie

Hab.3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.



Introduction: The entire 3rd chapter is a prayer in the form of a poem or a song, to be rendered to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument. The performer is lifted up as he beholds the majesty of God and then humbled as he recalls his mighty works. He is caused to determine to be happy in the greatness of his God in spite of seeming evil circumstances. He will 'PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW!



I. Praise Him in spite of everything.
A. With Habbakuk , let us recall some of the mighty works of God. In times of distress or danger, remember what He has done in the past.



B .He considers the lack of real justice among men.


Hab 1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.



Are you distressed at the tales of political intrigue and wickedness in high places? The King is coming.


Praise the Lord anyhow!!



C .Does it seem that the wicked are blessed more than you?


Heb.13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.


Praise the Lord Anyhow!



D. Does it seem that others fail too often? Too many turn aside? Attendance too low? Backsliders, negligence, and indifference rampant?


II Tim.4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW !



E. Does it seem that everything is turning sour and nothing is going right? This could be the exercise you need to strengthen you in the Lord.


I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.


Praise the Lord Anyhow!



F. All these are marks of Christian maturity.


Phil.4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. This is something which must be learned.


PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW!

II. Real rejoicing must be IN the Lord.


Hab.3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.


Note; IN the Lord, not ABOUT Him.
A. This means IN Him in salvation.


Isa.12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.


A child of the King can be happy, just knowing that his King will reign!



B. This means IN HIM in service.


Hab.3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.


God will not strengthen our hands to serve sin nor unlimber our feet to run after the world.



C. It means a SURE walk, like hinds' feet in high places.
1. The reed shaken in the wind of public opinion is NOT a rejoicing Christian!
2. If one is 'blown about with every wind of doctrine' he cannot rejoice in his uncertainty.
3. The one who constantly doubts his salvation cannot find pleasure in his doubts and fears..


II Tim.12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.


Praise the Lord Anyhow!.

III. Conclusion. You can be sure; you can be happy; you can be IN the Lord!!!



PRAISE THE LORD ANYHOW!



There’s a Biblical phrase, ‘It came to pass-‘
This indicates that most things don’t last.
So, when you face a trial in the ‘here and now’
Just praise the Lord anyhow.

With family, fortune and health all gone,
Job sat in the ash heap all alone
Wife and friends said,” look at you now.”
He just praised the Lord anyhow!

When Peter was beaten and tossed in jail
And all efforts seemed to no avail,
What did he do? Well, in the Word,
It says he preached and sang and praised the Lord!

There were James and John and the apostle Paul,
Great men of God, and martyrs, all.
When Caesar’s crowd tried to shut them up
They just praised the Lord for the ‘bitter cup’.

Men and women, all saints of God
Are now walking the path their fathers trod
And they will, to the end, I do avow,
When trials arise, Praise the Lord ANYHOW!



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This will be the poem of the week as well.