From Pity to Praise

When we look to the world for answers we go astray. We need God’s perspective if we are going to have a chance at living an abundant life.

Open my eyes , that I may see Wonderous things from Your law. I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me” – Psalm 119:18-19

I was reading a story on perspective that other day that explains this perfectly:

A young boy was playing outside his farm and found an eagle’s egg. He put the egg in a chicken’s nest. The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them. All his life, the eagle thought he was a chicken; he did what chickens do. He scratched in the dirt for seeds and insects to eat. He clucked and cackled. And he flew in a brief thrashing of wings and flurry of feathers, no more than a few feet above the ground. After all, that’s how chickens are supposed to fly. Years passed. One day, he saw a magnificent bird far above him in the sky. Hanging with graceful majesty on the powerful wind currents, it soared with scarcely a beat of its strong wings. “What a beautiful bird!” He said to the chicken near by, “What is it?” That’s an eagle -the chief of birds, the chicken clicked. “But don’t give it a second thought. You could never be like him.” So the eagle never gave it another thought. And he lived out of the rest of its life living under the delusion that he was a chicken.

Having a God perspective is important part of living a godly life. How do we change our state of mind? How do we change our circumstances when trouble comes our way? How do we remain full of joy, hope, peace even when trouble comes.

I think we can learn a things or two about David. David had victory because he had a God perspective not King Saul’s. If we’re going to have victory in our lives we will have to learn to see ourselves, our circumstances, and our future through God’s eyes.

Our eyes are often clouded by our own judgments, experiences, and preconceptions. We have told ourselves for too long that it can’t be done. We’ve created self-fulfilling prophecies and unless we change our thinking it will never be done. The God perspective is about removing the scales of our human understanding from our eyes and seeing things as they really are.

In order to understand David and King Saul’s history We need a little background with the state of affairs in Israel at the time.

Prior to Saul becoming King over Israel, the only King they had known was God. And while God had not changed, the people’s hearts had. Even though they saw miracles without end, even though they had been brought out of Egypt at the leadership of Moses, they crossed over through the Jordan on dry land, and established a land, the people still wanted to have a King like other nations of the earth.

And what thing about God, if we ask, he will give us what we want.

1 Samuel 8:1-5 tells us when Samuel was old, he made his sons judges in Israel, but they were unjust and took bribes. The elders of Israel went to Samuel and said to him, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations. But this displease Samuel. He prayed to God, and God answered “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you” (1 Samuel 8:7-8).

God told Samuel “Obey their voice and make them a king.” King Saul was chosen but Saul despised David. He was jealous, butter, and hated him, for having a different anointed. Yet David chose to have a God perspective through all of Saul’s attempts to destroy his reputation or kill him.

Just like in Israel in those days we live in a culture today, where expediency had taken precedence over truth. People are far too weak and are pushed aside in the name of what is easier, what is cheapest, and what is most efficient. We have made a graven image to efficiency in the world we live in, and to cost us our perspective of truth. And can destroy us as a culture if we’re not careful.

We have to have God’s perspective in our lives. When our vision is clouded by what we see in the world. If we are different from the world around us, then good.

In the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 “For the Message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written ‘ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

The people of God in choosing to look like the world, to embrace the wisdom of the world, to embrace the vain and empty philosophies of the world, always goes astray and gets into trouble. When the people of God abandon a plain and clear understanding of God’s perspective in their lives, whether personally or corporately, we become like a ship with no rudder, like a boat which had gone astray, our only hope for sure footing become to crash into the shore.

Why do God’s people allow themselves to be led into all kinds of modern ideas? Why are so many believers compelled to believe that because modern science says that life evolved from “lightening striking a mud puddle” we must find some sort of “middle ground” between the Genesis account of creation and evolution?

Why are the people of God intimidated intellectually into accepting “middle ways” of understanding when the Bible offers life-changing, timeless truth? Anytime the people of God compromise the truth of God by taking their eyes off God’s plan, they are influenced by the surrounding culture.

There is a big difference between fate and destiny. Fate often refers to an impersonal force that predetermines outcomes. At the same time, destiny suggests a personal or divine plan that unfolds in a person’s life. The Bible does not use these exact words in the same way we do today. Instead, biblical teaching emphasizes God, sovereign purpose, and our responsibility within that plan.

According to the Bible, God holds complete authority and knowledge over what comes to pass. Isaiah 46:10 Jesus said, “I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.” This verse establishes that history unfolds under the orchestration of God’s eternal wisdom.

The emphasis is not on an impersonal fate, but on a personal God who will permeates every aspect of life. Throughout scripture, we learn that the Lord has established. Psalm 103:19 tells us, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven. His kingdom rules over all.”

Nothing happens outside His awareness.

We have free will and responsibility. The Bible consistently teaches human accountability. As early as Genesis, humans received commands and the real possibility of obedience or disobedience. In Joshua 24:15, he challenges the Israelites, “If it is undesirable in your sight to serve the Lord then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. Their decision was consequential, not a meaningless outcome in a fated system.

The presence of choice underscores that people are not merely cogs in a predetermined machine. Instead, they respond to God’s call, face the consequences of their actions, and make real decisions. God’s plan remains supreme, yet there is a relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility that the Bible maintains without contradiction.

Fate is an impersonal inevitability that does not align with the biblical view of a personal, sovereign God. Instead, the Bible’s message is that God lovingly governs all creation, yet He invite us to respond by exercising genuine choice. The Scriptures on predestination speak of His saving plan, emphasizing both His sovereignty in redemption and our responsibility to embrace it by faith.

“Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth” -Colossians 3:2

We live in a world of distractions that can influences our spiritual growth and obedience if we are not careful.

Worldly distractions can keep us from our salvation. In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23, it teaches that one of the reasons God’s truth does not take root and grow is because the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke out God’s Word that has been sown.

It’s a daily battle we have to fight because there is plenty we can worry about or lust after. In the early 2000’s there was a saying, “keeping up with the Joneses.” It was about people wanting to have homes, fancy cars, outdoor toys, basically anything that someone else had, other people had to strive for. It cause’s families to lose everything, because they couldn’t afford the lifestyle they were living. It was a distraction that ruined people’s lives.

We must remind ourselves daily that this world isn’t our home.

Worldly distractions can keep us from growing and living according to God’s truths. Paul prayed for the church in Colossians to be filled with knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so they could walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. This required them to say no whenever it distracted them from seeking Jesus above all else.

We must do the same, and desk decisively with everything that pulls us away from what’s really important -knowing Jesus. I find this battle to be ongoing to keep good things in their proper place, such as social media, phones, entertainment, work, and being occupied with worldly affairs. These things are good, but they should not keep us from doing what is good for our souls.

Worldly distractions can keep us from our, enjoying God’s presence in our lives.

We can learn from the account in Luke 10, when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha who both delight to welcome their teacher into their home. Mary sat a Jesus feet and listened to Jesus’s teaching, but Martha was distracted with a lot of serving, She was distracted from actually spending time with Jesus.

We can be distracted by things we are sincerely doing to please Jesus -good things. Jesus doesn’t want us to be doing for Him at the expense of being with Him.

Even Jesus frequently went off by Himself to a quiet place to have fellowship with His Father. He wants us to do the same because there is joy in His presence and endless pleasures at His right hand.

“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more” – Psalm 16:11

God wants me to teach us how to be at rest in the middle of chaos and confusion of this world. Regardless of what distractions, pressures, trials, sufferings are coming at us at any given moment, our hearts will only be at rest when it’s fixed on Jesus.

The more we put our trust in God’s goodness and sovereign control over every circumstance of our lives, the less unexpectedor hard things can steal the peace of joy we have been given in Jesus.

I cherish my times of fellowship with God each day, but I have learned how easily I can get distracted or discouraged by the circumstances of my day.

God calls us to a life where distractions fade and His voice becomes the One we listen to first and foremost.

We should listen for the Holy Spirit’s when we are being pushes and pulled from every direction and when feel calm and peaceful. When we feel like we can make sense of nothing and everything seems to be falling into place. When our strength is gone and our faith is weak, and when we’re feel good and our strength is strong.

This is the life God call us to as He weans us from the world counterfeits of peace, joy, strength, and security. As we learn to increasingly depend on Jesus, for every need and desire, we find that God’s peace and joy well up in us like a fountain and even when everything around us is shaken, our confidence and hope in Jesus remains.

Our faith is a powerful weapon against the chains of life. Whether it is sin, fear, addiction, or the demonic, faith in Jesus brings liberty.

Faith is the divine key that unlocks supernatural freedom. Many people today are bound by physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial chains. These chains may not be visible, but they limit progress, steal joy, and can suppress our destinies. But the Bible assures us that faith in God has the power to break every form of bondage and can lead us into total liberty.

In Acts 16, Paul’s and Silas were imprisoned and physically bound in chains. Yet, at midnight, they activated the power of their faith through prayer and praise. Suddenly, the chain fell off, and the doors were flung open. This wasn’t just a physical miracle it was a spiritual demonstration of the power of faith. And God is still in the business of setting His people free.

Imagine having so much faith, so much confidence, and trust in God’s power that He will break every chain from your life. I think American churches have failed the people with weak messages that don’t align with God’s Word, and stadium light shows that go on in some churches.

Our freedom is tied to our faith. It’s time to believe again, speak again, and walk in the liberty Jesus has purchased for us.

When we are bound or facing life difficulties, our faith must first recognize that God is still present and powerful.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 tells us “Therefore we do not faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day, by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.”

Faith should see beyond our pain. It should focus on eternal truths rather than temporary troubles.

Faith chooses praise of complaint. Acts 16:25 tells us “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Paul and Silas praised instead on panicking, and that praise provoked divine intervention.

Faith invites God’s presence into dark places. God inhabits the praises of His people -even in prison cells.

Faith refuses to be silent or intimidated. We shouldn’t be ashamed of God’s message, because it the power of God for salvation for everyone who chooses to believe (Romans 1:16). We should speak and sing boldly even when we are bound.

God is still breaking chains. He still answers the cry of faith. He still shakes the earth for His people. We need to rise in faith, believe God’s promises, and step into our liberties. Because who the Son sets free is free indeed.

God breaks chains not promises

Each of us has a unique place and purpose in God‘s creation. The Bible is full of examples of the right person being in the right place at the right time, saying and doing the right thing. 

The book of Esther: The right place. The right time.

Esther was a Jewish orphan girl being raised by her cousin Mordecai, who eventually becomes the King‘s wife and the new Queen. The book of Esther tells a story of a Jewish Queen in Persia, who rest her life to stop a royal advisor, genocide plot against the Jewish people.

It’s a tale of courage, irony, and providence that establishes the annual objective festival of Purim. A girl that was in the right place at the right time.

Esther was found in the middle of a dilemma, and a focal point of crashing human opinions, and in a quandary of whether to speak up or remain silent in the face of injustice.

Maybe we have all found ourselves there. A situation that required us to act and speak courageously, even if it brings us into danger.

When Esther was faced with his dilemma, she did as she was taught. He proceeded with prayer and fasting. When she realize that she would have to break core adequate I’m not coming into the King‘s Court unless he had been called there. Esther asked Mordecai to fast for her three days and to invite all the Jews in the city to do so as well. Then she and her attendants would also fast for three days. Fasting is a deep prayerful way to turn to God for help and guidance.

Esther knew she needed God‘s help inin this situation, and asked for prayers from Mordecai and all the Jews for support.

How deep are you in prayer when you are in danger? When you realize that God is the only solution.

I believe God revealed a plan to Esther as to how she could expose the royal advisers Haman plot to kill all the Jews.

When were in situation that dire consequences, not just for us by others as well, and perhaps even for generations in the future, we shouldn’t hesitate to ask those who know how to pray for God‘s guidance and protection.

We will never know when our position is for such a time as this. And we should never underestimate the influence we can be given and circumstances because of our position.

If we follow Jesus God has adopted us as His children. We are in a royal position as children of God because we were made in His divine image and likeness. If that is not royal, at least in a deep spiritual way. I don’t know what it is.

Acknowledging and accepting the fact that we are children of God, opened our eyes in our heart to embrace the spiritual power and authority we have been given by God.

When we rise to what God has called us to do, our actions will be a blessing.

There is so much turmoil in the world today, in the global arena all the way down to the details of how people interact with each other, one on one. But, God has given us a place in this world to be a light instead of darkness, love instead of fear, hate, and indifference, the truth instead of deceit.

We were made for such a time as this or we wouldn’t be here. But I know that God has all of us to bring healing to the world. Well, I certainly don’t know your specific contribution. I know he has a calling for all of us. 

This calling comes down to a conscious choice on our part. God can prepared us for something even we’re not aware of it.

After knew that she was doing what would influence all the uses of her day when she persuaded the king to allow the Jews to defend themselves on the day they were to be destroyed. But she had no idea how far reaching the effects of her courage would go thousands of years later.

So, even if we don’t know where we need to be or the timing, it’s the spirit of humility in our hearts and the willingness to go wherever and whenever to do whatever God guides us to do. When we follow God’s guidance, we will be where we need to be in a given timeframe, and we have the opportunity to bring healing to situations.

Sometimes it’s easy to look at all the challenges in our lives or the problems in the world and wish you could go back to a previous time when things were simpler. But that’s just wishful thinking that never solves problems.

Here we are, in this present day, in this present moment, when the situations we face individually as well as collectively face the whole world. We are all here for a purpose, we were all made for such a time as this. I believe we are here for a purpose, and God has given us the ability to hear his voice and to do his will under any circumstance.

Esther was no one with special education or background. But God place her and use her to do great good. No matter who we are, God can use us.

Throughout the Bible, God used every day, ordinary people to carry out His will. And they become well known afterwards because they obey God.

Every person in the Bible, chose to step with boldness into what God called them to do. And God used them to accomplish something much bigger than just solving their own problems.

God needs our light, our courage, and most of all the world needs our love. And we were made for such a time as this.