Category: thankful

Life Can Be Hard

Psalm 107

I Thessalonians 5-18

There are some things that show up on lots of thankful lists: sunshine, rainbows, favorite foods, fun with family, and puppy dogs.  There is undoubtably a LOT of good, beautiful, enjoyable and delicious things in life to give thanks for!  Thank you, God!

But, what do we do with the darker side of life: the illness, the unpleasant, the hospital visits, the trials, the storms, the hurting, the loneliness.  What about those times when it can be hard to see clearly – like when the windshield is covered with giant raindrops -and it is more difficult to make out God’s goodness.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18).  Notice the verse doesn’t say we must give thanks FOR the illness or storm or difficulty.  But, IN that situation – in EVERY situation – God’s will is that we give thanks.

Yesterday we read Psalm 105 and were reminded of Joseph’s trials (sold into slavery by his brothers, and then thrown into prison for years for a crime he didn’t commit).  Perfect conditions for becoming a hardened, cynical, ungrateful man.  Instead, we see Joseph emerging as a wise, forgiving ruler.  The difficult times helped to strengthen him and mold him into the man who would do what God had prepared for him.

English poet, Felicia Hemans, wrote, “Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.”  And, James put it this way, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).  When we look at our tough seasons as periods of growth and times of training for trusting in Him, we have yet another thing to add to our thankful list.

As you read Psalm 107 look for the trials and difficulties (some self-made – as is the case today – and some the product of “circumstance”) as well as what was learned through them.  And, count how many times you read the refrain, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”

Life can be hard.  Thankfully, God is with us there.

-Marcia Railton

365 Days to Give Thanks

Psalm 105

psalm 105-1

Perhaps you have a busy day ahead.  But not too busy for the Giver of All Good Gifts.

Perhaps you are feeling lonely today.  But not so lonely with the Giver of All Good Gifts.

Whatever your day holds – whatever your heart holds – take the time to seek Him and thank Him.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  Remember the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 105:4-5).

Read the rest of Psalm 105 as you look to the Lord, seeking his face.  This Psalm – as well as Psalm 106 & 107 and several others – is a great thankful list of how God has worked through the history and family line of this Israelite author.

Today would be a great day to start your own thankful list of how God has worked through your own history and family line.

And then, as it says in verse 1 – “Make known among the nations what he has done.”  Start by sharing with those around your table, with your contact list, even on your social media and blog and beyond.  Give thanks to Him – and make it known.

Remember the Giver of all Good Gifts (at the tippy top of your thankful list) as you celebrate, remember and give thanks today – and everyday.

-Marcia Railton

 

 

Forget Not All His Benefits

Psalm 103

psalm 103 2 b

Yesterday we practiced seeing God revealed in Psalm 100.  Today you can try it again with another great Psalm – 103.  Read through the Psalm and search for what you can learn (or be reminded) about God.

What characteristics of God are you especially thankful for?  His omniscience (all-knowing)?  His omnipotence (all-powerful)?  His faithfulness?  His forgiveness?  His compassion?

Verse 12 gives a little teaser of what was yet to come in God’s perfect plan of salvation. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”  At the time this was written God’s people were still living under the Old Testament law with it’s system of sacrifices and priests.  There was a plan in place for forgiveness but it required strict adherence to a detailed list of sacrifices and who could perform them for what sins.

Sin was – and still is – a big deal because it causes separation from God who can not be in the presence of sin.

And so, in the New Testament a new gift from God was given!  A new path to forgiveness – one not just for the Jews, but for all who would believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – the Son of God!  The giver of all good gifts gave us His one and only Son – first to teach us how to live and to point us to his Father – and then to die so that we can be saved from our sins.  But God still wasn’t done gifting.  He raised Jesus from the dead.  And today he is in heaven at God’s right hand, interceding on our behalf and serving as the mediator between God and man.

Let us forget not all his benefits…and thank Him for His Son.

-Marcia Railton

God Revealed

psalm 100 5

Yesterday we were discussing keeping God at the top of our thankful list – above all the great gifts He has given.  And we said it was easy to let God slip from this spot if we didn’t work at knowing Him more and more.  After all, it’s impossible to be in a thankful relationship with someone I barely know – or rarely think about – or only sporadically spend time with.

And so, daily digging into His Word where He reveals Himself to those who are seeking Him is the best way to deepen our understanding and appreciation of who He is and what He has done for us.  And, as an extra bonus, we also can receive valuable instruction on how to live to please Him when we dive into the 66 love letters He has sent to us.

If someone isn’t used to opening God’s Word to get to know Him better, it might seem a bit daunting.  It is indeed a big book.  A big book written many generations ago.  But still written with YOU in mind.  And written to show you who your Heavenly Father is and how to have a relationship with Him.

Let’s pull up our Psalm for the week and see what we can find out about God in these verses.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

So, what do we learn about God…
verse 3 – The Lord is God.   He wants to be known.  He created us.  We belong to Him.  He watches over us.
verse 4 – He has gates and courts – like royalty.
verse 5 – God is good.  He is loving and His love lasts.  He is faithful – forever.
That’s a lot to learn about God in just 5 short verses!  Whether we are reading a short psalm of 5 verses or the historical account of the Israelites escaping Egypt, God is revealing himself in His Word.  And He wants to meet you there.
-Marcia Railton