Blessed

​This past year was one of the toughest I can remember. For the first time I have asthma and now require a daily inhaler to keep my lungs functioning.  I never suffered from food poisoning until this year. Shortly after returning from Africa in August, I underwent an appendectomy without TRICARE (health insurance we had except for this past year). In November, within days from returning from Peru, I went down hard with bronchitis, possible pneumonia (both firsts) and a sinus infection that went into my eyes.  Finally, with free medication, the exhaustion, chills, cough and infections are receding. It was similar for my son Bryan—he too endured a rough year battling surprising illnesses to include a scary ambulance trip to the hospital.

My finances are the tightest since 1997—a test that stresses my family. Yet, we have found ways through Kathleen’s thoughtful management, to bless others. God’s continuing compassion and mercy show up in the most amazing ways.  When I think of friends who: daily endure draining, chronic disease; whose loved ones died; who lost everything to storms or fires; or, who experienced brutal circumstances, indeed, I have no reason to complain and a mountain of reasons for which to be thankful.  
 
Meditation
James 5:11—See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
 
Tomorrow millions in America will carve turkeys or slice ham and take seats for a sumptuous feast with gathered family.  On the same day people around the world will go completely without food—living in abject poverty.  Friends, we who know Jesus are exceedingly blessed.  The past is gone.  The present is momentary.  We have no fear of the future for “Then the King will say to those on His right,‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:34). 

With thankful hearts let us lift our chins and let the sparkle in our eyes testify to the awesomeness of following Jesus.  Let our hands wave to heaven in worship.  No matter what kind of year it was, in gratitude proclaim to God His deserved glory and let us resolve before Him to keep marching! We are blessed!  
 
Inspiration
I do not doubt that we would become more useful if we praised God more, and others would join us, for they would see that God has blessed us.—Charles Spurgeon
 
©2018 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)