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I Thessalonians 5:16-28

These scriptures in I Thessalonians gives us instruction on remaining strong during difficult times.  They simply say rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in every thing give thanks, quench not the spirit, don’t despise prophecies, prove all things and hold fast to what is good; abstain from all appearance of evil and the very God of peace will sanctify you wholly and preserve your spirit, soul and body blameless unto the coming of Christ.  Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.

So often we give to much place to the negative things that happen in our life.  Don’t take the negative situation or circumstance to heart, rejoice instead.  Here’s why.  Ephesians 2:6 says that God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, if we are sitted together with Christ then we are where He is  “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in his world, but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21).  This means that no matter how difficult the situation or circumstance may be we are above it because we are in Him. Jesus Christ has placed us above every dark cloud of this world.  This is why we can rejoice evermore.

In addition to being sitted together with Christ, we have the privilege of prayer.   It is our covenant right to ask our Father for anything and expect to receive what we ask.  Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I say unto you , what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  And not only that but God has given us His Spirit. During difficult times when things seem a bit overwhelming we can pray in the Spirit and find rest and refreshing for our spirit and soul (Isaiah 28:11).    You see, when we are rested and refreshed we are able to see all that God has accomplished for us.  Therefore, we can give God thanks in the midst of it all  because we know that He has already worked it out through Christ.    Jesus told us in John 16:33 “…in this world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Now as you are rejoicing and praying and giving thanks to God, the Holy Spirit will speak to your spirit and release wisdom to you for your situation.  Don’t quench the Spirit.  In other words don’t surpress or subdue the promptings of the Spirit because God gives His wisdom liberally (James 1:5).  God delights in leading and guiding us.  This is why He has given us His good Spirit to instruct us, so don’t surpress Him.

And then, don’t despise prophesyings.   During difficult times  God will give you a word of prophecy to edify and build you up.  This is what the gift of prophecy is for so don’t despise it.  We have His Spirit in us to prove what is of Him and what is not. Finally, know that the very God of peace is in the midst of you. He is sanctifying you wholly, and preserving your spirit, soul and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Through it all He is perfecting Himself in you.  And let’s not forget that the very God of peace is faithful and all that He has said He will do!