Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow...

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures, here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."

These are the words to one of the greatest hymns ever written. Yes, it's that short, but how powerful are those words?! Quite recently, as in the last 40 hours or so, I was given one of the greatest things to rejoice over: one of my great friends received his long-overdue lung transplant! It is simply too overwhelming to write down. I am oozing with a joy that was placed in my heart by the Holy Spirit and a love that reciprocates that of my Father. This great, spectacular, monumental occasion is, without a doubt the best news I have heard, or will hear, all year.

However, I find it oddly discouraging that it takes this to bring such a swell of joy and love out of me. Don't get me wrong, this is exactly that kind of miracle. God, once again, proved His faithfulness to His children. We are told, however, in Philippians "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say; Rejoice" (Phil 4:4). That isn't a suggestion. Paul isn't saying, "Oh, it would cool if you did this." No, this is a command! Rejoice! Praise God all the time!

Again, Paul addresses this idea in Romans 5, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (verses 3-4). James, likewise, tells us to "count it all joy, my brothers, when you face trials of various kinds" (James 1:2). What are they saying, then?

They are saying that it is easy to praise God when the good things happen in life, i.e. a much needed lung transplant, but what about when something stressful happens in your life? Do you "count it all joy"? Do you say, "Thank you God for this time of testing"? Do you even look on that situation as a time of testing? I know I don't every time. Yet, that is our command and encouragement. That is the attitude that allowed Paul to share Christ with the "whole Praetorian guard," as he writes in Philippians (Phil 1:13). Paul shared Christ with the very guards who held him captive. That is what true rejoicing looks like. True rejoicing and praise comes when we know that it is only by God's power and will that a situation is good. Paul knew that it was only by God's power that he would be able to share Christ with the guard, and he knew that it was God's will that he be in chains so that could happen!

So, as I sit here and think through this amazing time of God's faithfulness and blessing, I am fully aware that it is God's will that Ryan receive this transplant now, and I am fully aware that it is by God's power that Ryan will recover, and I know that it is also God's will that Ryan not keep God's power quiet, but that he share it with the world.

So, the next time you are faced with a difficult test, remember to thank God and praise His name that you have been given the opportunity to grow and show God's glory.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures, here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen."