Face the music.

I was so blessed when I heard the following quote: “Only those, who are willing to face the music, can lead the band”

It got me thinking. The conductor or director will always face the band, when conducting a symphony in a music hall. He quite literally has to `face` the music.

By running away from tests and trials, we will never build the character and the stamina, to carry out the task ahead of us.

2Co 4:7 But we have this wealth in vessels of earth, so that it may be seen that the power comes not from us but from God; 8 Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them; 9 We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help; 10 In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies.

Many things may be said about the Apostle Paul, but that he was a coward, could never be his label. He faced the music head on. As a matter of fact, he went looking for trouble.

He had to face beatings, stoning, almost drowning while shipwrecked, bitten by snakes, hunger, imprisoned, mention a trial and Paul faced it. But always, with his eyes on the prize.

2Co 12:7 And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain. 8 And about this thing I made request to the Lord three times that it might be taken away from me. 9 And he said to me, My grace is enough for you, for my power is made complete in what is feeble. Most gladly, then, will I take pride in my feeble body, so that the power of Christ may be on me. 10 So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ: for when I am feeble, then am I strong.

Much debate has been going on regarding the `thorn in the flesh`, that plagued Paul. As a matter of fact, the `thorn` is unimportant. What is important is the fact that God gave Paul the assurance that His Grace will carry him through.

Only when we `face the music`, will our character be developed, will we get to the place of understanding Grace. And it is only then, when God can begin to entrust to us, all that He has in store for us.

“So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ: for when I am feeble, then am I strong.”

When it is no longer about me, when I change from being selfish, to becoming selfless, when my ego and my pride no longer matters, when it’s all about Christ and Christ alone, I can be trusted to `lead the band`.

Question to ask: Is Provision the condition?

How often do we make the statement or think that; “If only?”

If only I could get that increase, If only I lived in another city, If only I had a better car, If only, If only…

One of those “if only`s” so often becomes a precondition, to praising God.

If only the Lord would supply, If only the Lord would take care….

Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree shall not blossom, and fruit is not on the vines; the labor of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food. The flock is cut off from the fold, and no herd is in the stalls; 18 yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 Jehovah the Lord is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk on my high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

This passage of Scripture is such an indictment against the attitudes we so often display towards God.

Ø “yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation”. The author states boldly that, he will praise God, irrespective of the circumstance. There is no precondition to his praises and his worshipping God. He also understands that, following his praising and his worshipping, joy will manifest itself.

Ø “Jehovah the Lord is my strength”. The author finds his strength and his capacity to `soldier on`, not in his possessions or his wealth. No, he finds his strength in the Lord God. I believe he understood the principle that Jesus would declare many, many years later: “Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things.”

Ø “He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk on my high places.”. In seeking God first, through his praise and his worship, the author new, his breakthrough would come. During praise and worship, it is impossible to remain depressed and feeling low. Once you give yourself over to worship, your head lifts up again and the world seems to take on a different picture. It’s impossible to remain downcast in the presence of the Lord.

Psa 21:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The king shall rejoice in Your strength, O Jehovah; and in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the prayer of his lips. Selah. 3 For You go before him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked life from You; You give to him length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great in Your salvation; honor and majesty You have laid on him. 6 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have rejoiced him in the gladness in Your holy face. 7 For the king trusts in Jehovah, and in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved.

God’s provision should never be the condition for our praise and worship. We do it because we want to follow the Psalmist’s example: “For the king trusts in Jehovah, and in the mercy of the Most High; he shall not be moved

Why/How can we do this: The focus on God

It is a known fact that David, was not always the `holiest` of men. He made some serious mistakes, during his lifetime. Organizing a `hit` and `having a night out with the neighbor’s wife`, are just some of the things he did.

Yet he knew, exactly where to go, in times of trouble.

Psa 20:1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. May the Lord give ear to you in the day of trouble; may you be placed on high by the name of the God of Jacob; 2 May he send you help from the holy place, and give you strength from Zion; 3 May he keep all your offerings in mind, and be pleased with the fat of your burned offerings; Selah. 4 May he give you your heart's desire, and put all your purposes into effect. 5 We will be glad in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will put up our flags: may the Lord give you all your requests. 6 Now am I certain that the Lord gives salvation to his king; he will give him an answer from his holy heaven with the strength of salvation in his right hand. 7 Some put their faith in carriages and some in horses; but we will be strong in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are bent down and made low; but we have been lifted up. 9 Come to our help, Lord: let the king give ear to our cry.

Ø “May the Lord give ear to you in the day of trouble”. David understood that when faced with trouble, the covenant with God will hold. He understood the covenant of God, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Ø “May he send you help from the holy place, and give you strength from” He knew and understood that God is Holy and all powerful and that bringing our offerings before Him, is important.

Did David abuse the covenant? Did he abuse the fact that he honored God’s Holiness?

Never! Yet he acknowledged that he was a mere man, prone to make mistakes. David understood that in his own strength he would never succeed. He knew very well that he had to rely on God in all things and at all times.

Ø “May he give you your heart's desire, and put all your purposes into effect”. He knew that it is in God’s power, to establish you in all your endeavors. That if we remain in pursuit of God’s purpose for our lives, it will come to pass.

Ø “Now am I certain that the Lord gives salvation to his king; he will give him an answer from his holy heaven with the strength of salvation in his right hand.” David stood unwavering in his belief, that God will bring the respite and the relief. That God`s salvation is at hand, at all time and in all things.

Ø “Some put their faith in carriages and some in horses; but we will be strong in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are bent down and made low; but we have been lifted up”. David understood that, in times of need, the focus must be kept on God our redeemer. Men and the things of this world, can not save us. It may bring temporary relief, but in the end our strength comes from the Lord.

Psa 35:1 Of David. O Lord, be on my side against those who are judging me; be at war with those who make war against me. 2 Be a breastplate to me, and give me your help. 3 Take up your spear and keep back my attackers; say to my soul, I am your salvation.