Distress that Drives Us to God

“We ask God to forgive us for our evil thoughts and evil temper, but rarely, if ever ask him to forgive us for our sadness.” – R. W. Dale

I believe Mr. Dale has a good point. There are too many Saints with gloomy faces. I guess they have read Ecclesiastes 7:3, which states:

“Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”

Do you really believe that is literal interpretation of this scripture? King Solomon wrote a lot of great wisdom for us to read, but do you really believe that sorrow is better than laughter? I hope not. So, what is he saying to us in our modern times?

If you do not have a Message Bible, I encourage you to get one. I personally use it all the time. It is a clear English language of today. Let’s read it:

“Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart.”

Is crying better than laughing? No! Is the heart better off by sadness? No! So, what is King Solomon saying to us? Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:10:

“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Do you know what this verse is saying? If not, let’s read it from the message bible:

“Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets; end up on a deathbed of regrets.”

After reading 2 Corinthians 7:10, do you understand Ecclesiastes 7:3 a little clearer?

Godly repentance has a good influence on you. When God makes you feel sorry enough to turn to Him and be saved, you don’t have anything to feel bad about. But when this world makes you feel sorry, it can cause your death.

This reminds me of what Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 4:13b, “…that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

Do you have hope today? The answer is yes! Let’s read Psalm 16:11 in three different verses:

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way. -Message

You have shown me the path to life and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful. – CEV

Now here is the Greek version that reads, “You have shown me the way of life,and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.” (Compare this verse with Acts 2:28)

Joy is what Jesus provides for us. You are not sad; God Gives You Joy in His presence. Do you believe that today? God has shown us the way of life through Jesus Christ; Granting us the joy of His presence and the pleasures of living with the Lamb of God forever.

If you feel the weight of sadness, please ask the Lord for forgiven. He cares for you, and wants to lift that heavy burden from around your neck; so that you may receive the joy of the Lord. Let’s read James 1:2-4:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

(v.2) Shout and Rejoice in Victory through every test or trials
How you ask?

(v.3) By staying close to Him through prayer, reading and studying the Word of God, acknowledging Him in all your ways, and by giving Him your best praise everyday. If you can do this, the joy will follow you into your time of daily worship of the Lord. This will strengthen your faith.

Now I’m talking with my Mature Christians:

You can do this and feel well-developed without losing heart. Believe it or not, it is a gift from God – to shout on time in victory and the wall fall down.

If you have your bible, read a little more down to verse 12 of the same chapter states, you are blessed when you endure; you shall receive your crown from the Lord. With faith and patience, you can S M I L E and R E J O I C E !

Listen to the Praise Song called “Hosanna! Music Scripture Songs”: