September 22, 2024
My dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet and bless you all in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the name of the Lord be glorified, and may He bless you. Let us take and read from the book of 2 Corinthians 4:8, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.”
My dear brothers and sisters, this is a word of faith. It reminds us that even when we are perplexed, we do not despair. David was surrounded by his enemies, and he cried out, saying, “Lord, keep me from all troubles that surround me from all corners. And because You have delivered me, I thank You, Lord.” He saw his troubles cleared and found a broad place. That is what the Lord is looking at you this morning and telling you: Just say one word, give thanks for considering that which does not exist as though it exists. Just tell the Lord in this way, and He will bring you out of all these pressures. God will bring you to a broad place, and He will make your name great. God is looking at your needy state and your tight situation. As the people of Israel were in a crushed situation and, being pressed from all sides, lifted their voices and cried out to the Lord, so too, when we go through trials and struggles, if we cry out to God, He descends in a marvelous manner.
Secondly, it is often when we are perplexed that we sink into depression, and depression can lead to mental illness. But today, the Lord is saying, “It is true that you were perplexed, but I will prevent you from falling into depression. I will immediately bring you out of it and help you to live well. You will be active, run, and achieve great things.”
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we thank You. Even though we are hard-pressed, we will not be crushed. We all confess this word with faith together. The God who delivered David from all the trials that surrounded him will deliver all of His children and bring them to a broad place. Though we are perplexed, we are not in despair. Just as the city of Shushan, which was perplexed, began to rejoice when the order against the Jews was canceled, in the same manner, let your children, who stand perplexed today, begin to rejoice. May Your hand of miracles perform wonders in their lives.
In Jesus’ Name, we pray,
Amen.
