In This Issue:
Be Grateful
Be Thankful
Count Your Blessings
Be Thankful for…
Volume: 860 May 30, 2022
Theme: Gratefulness
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Christians too often get so encumbered with the cares of this world that they forget who they are and what they have. They have the promise of Heaven, a caring heavenly Father, His guidance and protection, hope, blessings none of us deserve, and we know God’s truths (or should). With all we have, we still forget we are on the winning side and how good God is to us.
The well-known Psalm 95:1 is an encouraging eraser for the “woe is me” or “everything is so terrible in my life” attitudes. That verse suggests that instead of complaining, we should “sing” to the Lord.
“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1
“Sing,” besides singing a song, means to shout aloud for joy, cry out, be joyful, rejoice, and triumph. The negative poor-mouthing we often utter spurns defeat quickly and robs one of hope. However, if we find something to be joyful about and exclaim the victories we have gotten, our attitude will change.
Even singing a hymn will help one return to being grateful and appreciative. The rest of the scripture verse also removes the excuse for not “singing” because they believe they have an unworthy voice. Verse 1 says to make a joyful noise if that’s all you can muster. It’s not the quality of the “song,” it’s the exuberant, thankful heart that glorifies a great God and not the stumbling blocks we dote over.
There was a time when I found myself in the dumps. All I could see were the obstacles and defeats that I encountered. To flip the doldrums around, I sat down and made a list. In the blank leaf in the back of my Bible, I made a list of victories and things I had. It included salvation, a good wife, a home, a church family, and on and on went my inventory of blessings. After reading what I had written several times, I forgot about all I did not have and was most grateful for God’s goodness in my life. To this day, whenever I find myself being ungrateful, I reread that list. It is my “song” that helps me remember how good God is to me.
Many of the Psalms reminds believers to be thankful for a mighty God and all He has done for His people. Psalm 135 is no different. The chapter starts with “Praise ye the Lord,” and it ends with the same reminder.
Old Testament and New Testament believers should have one grateful emotion in common. We both have so much to be thankful. There are so many reasons we should praise the Lord.
Some of which we should appreciate the Lord include:
- His controlling of the weather (Psalm 135:7).
- God’s deliverance of Egpyt’s bondage of Israel (Psalm 135:8). Today’s believers also need to be thankful for safety in this life and liberation from sin.
- The miracles God allowed to happen in lives (Psalm 135:9).
- Deliverance from enemies (Psalm 135:10-11).
- The land God gave Israel (Psalm 135:12)! We also need to be grateful for the freedoms and opportunities we still have.
- His enduring faithfulness to His people (Psalm 135:13).
- His future judgments (Psalm 135:14). Many believe they have gotten away with their sin or wrong-doing. They have not. Judgment day has not yet come for them, but it will one day!
All have so much for which to praise the Lord. Unfortunately, the majority are blind to His working in their lives.
“The praise that comes of love does not make us vain, but humble rather.”
— Barrie
Count Your Blessings
Hymn by Johnson Oatman (1897)
1 When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]
3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in Heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]
4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. [Refrain]
“Count your blessings, not your troubles, and it will make you grateful rather than discouraged!” — Bill Brinkworth
Be Thankful for…
Bill Brinkworth
Much of the good in our lives comes from the benevolent hands of God. However, He gets so little credit for what He has done. Psalm 107, along with many other hymns found in the Psalms, reminds the singer to proclaim to the unrealizing world what we are thankful for.
This chapter alone starts eight of its 43 verses with “O give thanks.” Five times “praise” is used, and five times God’s “goodness” is mentioned in Psalm 107. There is a great focus on counting our blessings and being thankful for what He has done in our life.
Among a plethora of what we should be grateful for, this chapter reminds us to be thankful for God’s:
- Goodness (Psalm 107:1, 8-9, 21, 31).
- Mercy (Psalm 107:1). The previous chapter also reminded believers of God’s generous, undeserved mercy.
“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1 - Redemption and deliverance (Psalm 107:2, 6, 8, 10, 13-14, 16, 19-20, 28). Our salvation is redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and many times our situation is bought by the work of our mighty, protecting God.
- Guidance, as He led, provided, and directed Israel (Psalm 107:3-5, 7, 9).
- Changing situations (Psalm 10:24-27, 29-30, 33-38, 41) that hinder His people.
Israel’s worship songs often were reminders of what they should be appreciative. Although America has a holiday dedicated to being thankful (Thanksgiving Day), ALL people, especially Christians, should be grateful every minute of every day. Just think where we would be if He withdrew His goodness to us. We certainly would be most miserable.
Give thanks to the Almighty that has done so much for you. Write on a piece of paper or a blank page at the back of your Bible things for which you are thankful. When times are more challenging, just a glance at those reminders of His goodness to you will help a grateful attitude return to an encouraged spirit. Some even keep a journal of all the wonderful things God has done in their lives. We should never forget the mighty help of our God in our lives.
Thank you, Lord!
“The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.” — Plutarch