Introduction: It’s one thing to REJOICE when things are going good, but it is quite another thing to PRAISE the Lord when things are not going good. The Psalmist sets the precedent in chapter 149. Listen to the words of verse five and six.

“5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. 6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand.” (Psa 149:5,6)

When we are “set aside” for a while, our Lord has a way of “renewing” our hearts, “refreshing” our souls, and “reviving” our spirits.

1. It can be a Time of EXAMINATION!

“67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” (Psa 119:67)

At times, we get to flying too high and forget our dependency should be upon our great God. Consequently, we are brought back to reality, to our total trust in our Lord and Savior.

2. It can be a Time of REJUVENATION!

“4Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psa 27:14)

Waiting takes WORK. But it produces great dividends.

3. It can be a time of TRANSFORMATION!

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2Cor 4:8-10)

With Jesus with us, who can be against us.

4. It can be a time of INTROSPECTION!

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor 4:16-18)

Keep the BIG PICTURE in mind. That keeps us on track.

5. A time of CELEBRATION!

“18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom 8:18)

Compared to eternity, all of this life’s troubles pale in comparison to heaven.