Thursday, April 17, 2014

Let Good Manners Dictate

This morning with the warm spring sun shining through the forest and my window, warming my face, I thought about thanking God for this day. As I pondered being thankful, I wondered how often would it be good to say thanks to God for what He has done for me and my family. One of David’s psalms had a partial answer.

Psalms 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Here I saw several things. When David got to his greatest frustration or deepest depression, he called upon God. God was always there to shelter him. In verse five we see an interesting thing. Apparently there is a heritage that belongs to those that fear His name. The next verse says it is long life, preserved by mercy and truth. David’s response to it all was for ever praise, and daily time with God.

At first I thought this would be my answer, that daily saying thanks would do. But then I thought about what I was taught as a child. When someone gives you something or does something nice for you, you should say thank you. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that God is doing things for me throughout the day. In fact, God gives me life and breath, and mercy and truth continually. Literally it would be good to thank Him any time, all the time. Just like for ever praise I should be for ever thanking Him for all He is, has, and will do for me and my family. If I sing that, it becomes forever praise.

It is my hope that I can be mindful of God often enough to be thanking Him throughout the day. Sometimes I just get too caught up in the things that I think are important. Today I am going to make an effort for at least one day to say thank you many, many times throughout the day. It will be interesting to see the result.

Care to try this with me today?

Prayer
Father, we praise and thank You, and exalt You as the Most High God. You alone are our strength and defense. Keep Your wings over us that we might be covered from the storms of life. Drive away our enemies, and let them know that we are Yours. Please forgive us when we wonder off, and reel us in to Your arms with mercy and truth. Send today Your healing, Your deliverance, and Your provision in such a mighty way that all men will know it is You alone. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.