imported_rachel
03-15-2007, 11:01 AM
There are going to be days when we just don't feel like being
thankful - we wake up and don't seem able to praise. We know we
should "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4); we're trying
to learn "the secret of being content in any and every situation"
(Philippians 4:12); and we want to believe that "in all things God
works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28), but
sometimes it's just difficult.
There are many reasons for days like this. We sometimes lose the
eternal perspective of our life and our surroundings. We may take
our eyes off Jesus and begin to look at the gathering storm (Matthew
14:30). We may become entangled in the weeds and get choked by "the
worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" (Matthew
13:22). Or we may simply become tired and weary.
Days like this are to be expected. Jesus said, "In this world you
will have trouble" (John 16:33) - and our trouble will sometimes
strain our relationship with God. But even in the midst of our
trouble, we are all being "transformed into His image" (2 Corinthians
3:18). When we place our life in His hands, He begins the process of
transformation - a process which WILL continue; "He who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6). Even
though we may sometimes struggle and find ourselves in a dry desert,
we are still progressing from what we once were to what we will yet
become. God will use these difficult seasons to mold our heart if we
will simply continue to trust, love, and praise.
We must NEVER forget that Jesus also said of our troubles; "But take
heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We must continue to
grow in our relationship with God until He is so near that we can
truly see how He has overcome and praise Him all day and every
day. He desires our praise, and is, without a doubt, deserving of our
praise!
Psalms 113:3
"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of
the Lord is to be praised."
The Psalm writer is stating a simple fact: The Lord IS to be
praised! Jesus affirmed this truth when He was riding into Jerusalem
and made it clear that He will receive praise with or without our
participation. Crowds had begun to praise Him and some of the
religious leaders told Jesus to make them stop. But Jesus responded;
"I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke
19:40). Either we offer up our praise to the Creator of the
Universe, or the rocks will begin to sing!
No matter what our situation is today, let's remember He is worthy of
our praise! He has picked us up, cleaned us off, and adopted us into
His Family. It is sad and a terrible shame, but we often forget how
many reasons we have for being thankful. Let's rise up and use this
and every other moment of the day to rejoice with thanksgiving in our
heart - let's not miss another opportunity to praise.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
thankful - we wake up and don't seem able to praise. We know we
should "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4); we're trying
to learn "the secret of being content in any and every situation"
(Philippians 4:12); and we want to believe that "in all things God
works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28), but
sometimes it's just difficult.
There are many reasons for days like this. We sometimes lose the
eternal perspective of our life and our surroundings. We may take
our eyes off Jesus and begin to look at the gathering storm (Matthew
14:30). We may become entangled in the weeds and get choked by "the
worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth" (Matthew
13:22). Or we may simply become tired and weary.
Days like this are to be expected. Jesus said, "In this world you
will have trouble" (John 16:33) - and our trouble will sometimes
strain our relationship with God. But even in the midst of our
trouble, we are all being "transformed into His image" (2 Corinthians
3:18). When we place our life in His hands, He begins the process of
transformation - a process which WILL continue; "He who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6). Even
though we may sometimes struggle and find ourselves in a dry desert,
we are still progressing from what we once were to what we will yet
become. God will use these difficult seasons to mold our heart if we
will simply continue to trust, love, and praise.
We must NEVER forget that Jesus also said of our troubles; "But take
heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We must continue to
grow in our relationship with God until He is so near that we can
truly see how He has overcome and praise Him all day and every
day. He desires our praise, and is, without a doubt, deserving of our
praise!
Psalms 113:3
"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of
the Lord is to be praised."
The Psalm writer is stating a simple fact: The Lord IS to be
praised! Jesus affirmed this truth when He was riding into Jerusalem
and made it clear that He will receive praise with or without our
participation. Crowds had begun to praise Him and some of the
religious leaders told Jesus to make them stop. But Jesus responded;
"I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out" (Luke
19:40). Either we offer up our praise to the Creator of the
Universe, or the rocks will begin to sing!
No matter what our situation is today, let's remember He is worthy of
our praise! He has picked us up, cleaned us off, and adopted us into
His Family. It is sad and a terrible shame, but we often forget how
many reasons we have for being thankful. Let's rise up and use this
and every other moment of the day to rejoice with thanksgiving in our
heart - let's not miss another opportunity to praise.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm