“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.” (Psalm 92:1-3 KJV)
When we reminisce over all our past, survey our present and consider the prospects of our future, there is much for which we can be grateful. Think about the alternatives and gratitude should take over. What a wonderful year we have before us! If you haven’t yet decided on a resolution, consider this one: thank and praise God every day.
You see, it is a good thing to give God praise and thanks for all his blessings and benefits. Despite the obstacles of this life — the declining economy, emotional stress, relational problems, career stresses, etc — God expresses his love to us each and every morning. After a restful night, he wakes us up. He provides air and sunshine. Sometimes he provides clouds and rains. And although our circumstances are individually unique, when we reflect on them we see the hand of God working for us. Thank God!
So if God expresses his love for us every morning shouldn’t we express ours in return? What about his faithfulness every night? Throughout the day God has walked with us confronting the issues of our lives. Like a child, we can pray, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep . . .” He truly is our shepherd and makes us to lie down in green pastures. It would seem that our faithfulness to him should be a foregone conclusion.
And when we seriously contemplate these issues — thanksgiving and singing his praises — some melodies will be joyous with hand clapping and dancing feet. But there should also be some solemn melodies. Those melodies that reach down deep and move our spirits. Those melodies that stir our love for God and our loyalty to him in ways no other can.
Perhaps 2012 can be the year of gratitude and praise. Perhaps it might be the year of daily praise. Maybe it is a year for expressing our gratitude in ways that God will truly appreciate.
Dear Father, thank you for your love and faithfulness to us. May our songs of praise and thanksgiving rise up to you as a sweet fragrance of true worship. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today with your gratitude and praise to God,