DON'T HANG YOUR HARP

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat down; there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows near by we hung up our harps" - Psalms Psalm 137:1-2 (GNT‬‬)

Few years ago, I met a man who had lost huge possessions and things had been pretty hard for him. The man was practically living in the desert of loneliness as all his trusted friends and close associates had deserted him in his season of pain. He was a shadow of himself, looking so frail, depressed and helpless. His entire life had been submerged completely in the ocean of losses. After he narrated this ordeal, the Lord prompted me to ask him this question: "Sir, hope you have not hung your harps upon the willow tree?". His response was "No, I have not". 

Nobody actually likes to lose anything in life because losses really hurts. Yes, it does. However, there are many examples of people who had lost several things in life but they eventually recovered it all. Some of these people had lost their possessions, health, jobs, marriage, children, businesses, etc.  For example, in Job 1:18-22, when Job lost everything he had, instead of committing suicide, he organised a befitting Banquet of Praise. Does that not sound very crazy? What about Paul and Silas? 

In Acts 16: 22-26, when those two disciples of Jesus Christ lost their freedom, instead of weeping and blaming God, they decided to organise a Praise Party even inside the prison to celebrate the Almighty God.

Like the man mentioned above, Job, Paul and Silas had lost many things but they never lost their faith in the God of All flesh. They did not lose their peace and joy of salvation in the midst of the ocean of losses. Paul and Silas were beaten, yet they couldn't resist the urge to continue to praise their Saviour even in the prison. They knew that the faithful God is still in control even when it appeared that they had reached the very bottom of the ocean of losses. They knew that the worst thing anyone could lose in life is to lose his/her fellowship with God. No wonder they eventually walked out of the ocean of losses with mighty testimonies. Yes, they recovered everything they had lost. Glory be to God. Hallelujah!!

Beloved, have you lost something precious recently? What has the ocean of losses swallowed in your body, home, business, marriage, finances, academics? Why not check and be sure that you have not hung your harp on the willow tree. Please be sure that the joy of your salvation has not been tampered with. If it has, then I urge you to please run back to the feet of the cross today and plunge into the fountain filled with blood drawn from the Saviour's veins. If you do, sincerely, the same God who restored the losses of Job, Paul and Silas will restore your losses and make your life a living testimony of His amazing wonders and faithfulness. And as the Lord God lives, everyone who has mocked and deserted you will come running to pay obeisance to you very soon in Jesus name.

This powerful song below summarises the testimonies of Job, Paul and Silas in the above scriptures:

I HAVE NEVER LOST MY PRAISE by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

"I've lost some good friends along life's way

Some loved ones departed in heaven to stay

But thank God I didn't lost everything

I've lost faith in people who said they cared

In time of my crisis they were never there

But in my disappointment, in my season of pain

One thing never wavered, one thing never changed

I never lost my hope,

I never lost my joy

I never lost my faith

But most of all, I never lost my praise

My praise still here,

My praise still here

I've let some blessings slip away

When I lost my focus and went astray

But thank God I didn't lost everything

I lost possessions that were so dear

I lost some battles walking in fear

But in the midst of my struggles, in my season of pain

One thing never wavered, one thing never changed

I never lost my hope,

I never lost my joy

I never lost my faith

But most of all, I never lost my praise

Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise, Praise

Most of all, I never lost my praise

My praise still here,

My praise still here

But most of all, I never lost my praise!"

My prayer for everyone who has lost any precious thing is that God will halt the season of losses around them and silence their mockers permanently before this week is over in Jesus name. (Amen).

On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor. E. A. Adeboye, I would like to invite you to March 2024 Special Holy Ghost Service. Theme: ON EAGLE'S WINGS. Date:  29th February - 2nd March 2024. Venue: The Redemption City, Mowe, Nigeria. 

Good day, Happy New Month and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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