157th BDS – 4/10/2025

Scripture Reference: James 5:13-15, Exodus 15:2, Psalm 18:1-3, 31-34

There are moments when we do not feel like GOD is really on our side. Yes, total transparency when we are under attack from the enemy and those that allow him to use them against us, there are feelings of “Why GOD?” and “Are you really allowing this to happen to me?” The Scriptures show us of countless times that people found themselves crying out to GOD while going through moments of uncertainty. These are undeniable examples for all of us that no matter what comes our way, we know that trials come to make us stronger. When we learn to build a resistance to questioning GOD and instead to choose to praise Him, our faith in Him is increased the more.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Assurance that our GOD is truly in control can be found all throughout the Bible. We are to realize above all else that every situation that comes to challenge us is indeed for our good although at the time it may not feel that way. Loving Who our GOD is, is the key and through faith that He has use for all of our lives according to His purpose.

So let’s dive in!!!

“Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As I am writing this, an illness has attacked my body for the last 2 days. I probably did it to myself in and out of the air conditioning but nevertheless here I am. The Scriptures instruct us to pray in every situation, encourages us in joy to sing the praises of our GOD and leads us to seek for those who GOD has strategically placed to also pray with and for us in the Name of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST as they are instructed to anoint (to smear or to rub) the sick with oil. Even in the midst of it all through the power of the prayer of faith, the Scriptures empower us that those that who are sick will be saved (healed from the sickness) and our LORD will lift us up to good health and those that have committed sins against GOD will be forgiven of those sins. Just reading this in itself is more than enough reason to PRAISE OUR LORD!!!

“The LORD is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; My father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The writer proclaims that not only is our LORD where all of his strength comes from but is the sole reason for the songs of praise that he writes. He further states that through all that he has been through, he knows that only in our LORD is there salvation (preservation and/or deliverance from all harm, destruction and/or ruin, or loss). The writer stands firm that there is only One True and Living GOD that is his GOD and that he offers up his own body as a place for GOD to rest in, live in and to be LORD over. (Romans 12:1)

The writer finishes the verse by saying that the same GOD was the GOD of his own father and that he will exalt (to acknowledge on a high and/or powerful level, to hold in regard and/or respect in extreme happiness and/or joy) Him above all things.

“I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The writer by example, expresses that he has chosen at free will to love the LORD Who gives him strength, acknowledges Who he stands soundly on, is protected by, has been rescued by, Who he trusts in through the strength that is given to him, is his shield from whatever attacks him, is the Voice of his deliverance, and his high tower in which he cannot only see but, Who allows him to stand above all of his enemies!!! Given as an instruction to us, the writer says that he will call on the Name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) Who is worthy to be praised and that he knows without a doubt that he will be saved from all of his enemies (including his own Worldly desires).

“For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭31‬-‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The writer offers us questions to think about in these Scriptures. He simply asks isn’t our GOD also our LORD? Who can replace the Rock of our Salvation, that is our GOD? The writer reminds us Who prepares us and ensures that we are ready for the battles ahead by His strength alone. We are reminded that only our GOD allows us to get through the tough times in our lives and if we allow Him to, He will lead, guide and direct us while keeping us moving forward to the higher ground which is a solid place in Him. He then brings to our remembrance that GOD has given us the weapons to war against our own flesh and our enemies so much so that at His Name the very attacks that come against us will be destroyed!!!

(2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:11-18)

Final Thought: “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, And not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come: And the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; To loose those that are appointed to death;”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭102‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In short, our GOD hears every prayer, and He honors those prayers, yes even from those who may be at their lowest point in life and/or find themselves in a state of desperation, even those who may not have fully committed to Him yet. We are to not only learn His Word for ourselves, but it was written for us to teach to the generations to come. All those who are born, were created to praise His Name and His Name only! Our LORD sits high in the Heavens and is looking down on all of us. He hears every grumble, every complaint, every midnight cry, and every plea for help from those of us who are held prisoner in our own minds, have built walls around our hearts and who are shackled by guilt and shame. He even wants to turn around the situations where we are both physically and Spiritually dying.. now isn’t that more than reason enough to.. PRAISE GOD DESPITE IT ALL?!!!

-Minister Marchand, Founder and Overseer of JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRIES-JIGM and JESUS IS GLOBAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY-JIGMIA