Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

‘For His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ Psalm 118:1

My Precious Brothers and Sisters, you are loved!

Recently, I find myself running again and again to Psalm 118 and the message to my heart is ‘Give thanks’. One of those lifelong lesson we continue to learn, albeit slowly, as we grow in faith. I found it interesting that verse one of Psalm 118, also ends the Psalm. In verse two it speaks of what Israel should declare repeating this phrase ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; ‘For His lovingkindness is everlasting.’ Three more times this is repeated. When the scripture says something once it is important, but when it is recorded more than once, we should sit up and take notice.

Anyone suffering will find there is great comfort in the Psalms. I believe it bolsters our faith and comforts abundantly because it overflows with encouragement to give thanks to the LORD. There are more verses on giving thanks to God in Psalms than any other book of the Bible.  Giving thanks does not come naturally! We are more inclined to complain and grumble and fret. Giving thanks enables us to turn in faith to the Creator, rather than be swallowed up by negativity. Where grumbling pulls us under; praise and thanksgiving lifts us up.

 A thankful heart is a singing heart. And according to Colossians 3:14 a singing heart is the result of ‘Letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...’ If we are deep in Him who indwells us, then we know Him as our daily strength, our joy and our song. Do I hear some ‘amens!’ ?

The Lord is my strength and song…. Psalm 118:14

Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation. Psalm 118:19-21

True thanksgiving is choosing to allow Christ Jesus to live through us in His righteousness.  The best training is to learn to accept everything as it comes, as from Him whom our soul loves. ac  My mentor taught me the same thing in a slightly different way: “Acceptance is half the battle.”  Acceptance can be the most difficult thing we do; the letting go, the shaking free of our consuming need to control and the deliberate choice to refuse to fight what God allows in our life!  Only grace can carry us through.

 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

The little tests can be the ones that undo us. As Amy Carmichael puts it, “ the common little rubs of life, silly little nothings, things you are ashamed of minding one scrap. Yet they can knock a strong man over and lay him low“.

My mentor and I were out to have lunch. While glancing at our menu, a waitress was threading her way through a busy section as she balanced a heavily laden tray. A man stood abruptly, bumping her arm and she almost dropped it all. My mentor looked at me over her menu and ask a strange question: “What spilled when she was bumped?”

I gave the obvious answer, “the soup of course.”

She responded with a ‘yes’ and then explained, “ It is a picture of life. When we get bumped, the only thing that spills is what is in our heart.”  I understood that when life bumps me and my reaction is negative and complaining, it is a red flag to lead me to repentance. When Jesus is filling me with His Holy Spirit, He is in control and no sin can spill out. Sin tells me something very important, that I am on the throne of my heart, rather than the Lord. I need to confess and receive the forgiveness awaiting me.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Feelings can shake us up but good! Living by our feelings is like inviting the enemy in to have a cup of tea. We are instructed not to be surprised by trials, but notice it takes us further!! My feet are dancing….  We are to do more than ‘not to live by feelings’, we are to rejoice that we are privileged to share His sufferings. Do you know anyone who is rejoicing in their suffering? Read the following verses, as if for the first time dear ones…

Answer: ‘Is suffering ever God’s will?”

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. I Peter 12:13-14 & 19

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. I Peter 12:13-14

Do you hear thankfulness in the words: “but rejoice”?  Let’s use the ‘great exchange’ and turn it into a blank to be filled in by you. Put the numbered words in the blank.

      1.  give thanks  2. worship 3. count it all joy 4. sing His praise

But __________________ inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 

Remember Jesus endured great suffering for the joy to come! We are to rejoice and endure now to be overjoyed when His glory is revealed! Hang on He is coming.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3

We endure, by considering Him (Hebrews 12:3, our focus on Christ)

If we focus on circumstances it will wear us to a frazzle. Consider Him, make Him your focus. Sing, praise, give thanks, rejoice, dance, worship… God is forever worthy!

ADVERSITY WITHOUT SURRENDER IS MISERY!

Thank You Father that this is the only Hell I will ever know! Thank You for every trial, no matter how bitter. Whatever You allow, you will use for Your good purposes in my life. Teach me to give thanks because You are good. Keep me faithful. Thank You that even my sorrows are not wasted, but all things serve You. Your provision is enough. Blessed be Your Name. Thank you for coming to live, die and rise from the dead to save me. I give thanks in your Holy name, amen 

You are in my prayers, az

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