Thankful

It will go down in history as perhaps mankind’s most bizarre year. Never has the entire globe in unison shut down because of a virus.  Restrictions in travel, work, recreation, size of gatherings etc., have ruined businesses, increased the number of suicides and deaths for those with other ailments who cannot be hospitalized, amped fear to unprecedented levels, and created a huge divide in opinion over what should or should not be done.  Meanwhile political unrest, rolling waves of violence, storms and disasters add to the cacophony of 2020.  

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​Meditation
Psalm 138:1,2--I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.
 
The test of a thankful heart is not when times are good. It’s easy to raise a hallelujah when life is full of cake and ice cream. It is when times are filled with angst, pain and uncertainty that we look deep inside to find if thanksgiving is still possible. King David knew a lot about anguish, agony and insecurity.  Yet he was the consummate worshiper.  I love his attitude!
            
“I will give You thanks with all my heart.” Go ahead, release your burdens.  Clear your throat and let out a yell “Thank You Lord!” that encompasses all of your heart. Ah, thankfulness is released. Immediately you are on higher ground.
           
“I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings.”  We have an audience.  God and His heavenly hosts have not forgotten us.  They love us and want what is best for us so that we spiritually flourish. Start singing. Who cares if your notes are flat and sharp—sing from the heart, “Thank You Lord, for saving my soul.  Thank You Lord for making me whole!”
            
“I will bow down toward Your holy temple.” Did you get that? Thankfulness comes from a spirit of humility. Prostration yields pride to authenticate worship. It as an act of emptying so as to be filled. 
 
“And give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth.” Our very life comes from God’s name which represents His power and authority.  Attached to His name is a forever love unpolluted by falsehood. He only speaks truth. His Word is our hope and strength and joy.  Thank Him!

“You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.”  We dare not focus on problems. We should not be afraid. We must exalt God’s name—the name above all names!  His promise means redemption, salvation, eternal life and joy that is indescribable because “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands” (138:8).  

Thankful? Yes, yes, yes!  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Inspiration
"In Africa there is a fruit called the ‘taste berry,’ so called because it changes a person’s taste buds in such a way that everything eaten after it tastes sweet. Giving thanks is the ‘taste berry’ of Christianity. When our hearts are full of gratitude, nothing that comes our way will be unpalatable to us. Those whose lifestyle is marked by thanksgiving will enjoy a sweetness of life unparalleled by any other."– Robert Strand in The Power of Thanksgiving
 
©2020 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)