"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name" - Psalm 100:4 (NIV).
A lifestyle of thanksgiving is certainly the best way any Christian can partake of the goodness of the Lord. They can be many good reasons why one should be thankful in life, perhaps a sign of good breeding. But Psalm 95:2 slso says "Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise." And Psalm 50:14 says "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving."
For a believer thanksgiving is not just for the good times. We give thanks in all circumstances. I Thessalonians 5:18 says "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" and Ephesians 5:20 says "giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." We give thanks in all circumstance because "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
The Bible has numerous examples of those who were done harshly yet still thanked God in spite of their circumstance. After loosing everything and urged to curse God, Job, "fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1: 20-21).
Whatever the circumstances, we should give thanks because God is good to us and because His love for us endures forever. As Psalm 118:21 says, "I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation."
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, I rise to thank you for my present situation and all things in my life, because you have been so good to me and ever worthy of praise, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
