IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS (Lenten33)
As we continue on our Lenten Journey today in our time of REFLECTION today, I want us to ask ourselves the question “WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD”?
Can you echo the words of King David today with me as he recorded in Psalm 40:2 NLT He lifted me out of the pit of DESPAIR,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
MESSAGE He lifted me out of the DITCH,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
Paul as a Believer in Romans 7:24 AMP. O.T declared . O unhappy and pitiable and WRETCHED MAN that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?
MESSAGE I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
Paul had at least found the answer he says in verse 25 NLT Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have so much to thank and praise the Lord for, Hasn’t He been so good to us? That is why Paul tells in in 1 Thess. 5:18 NKJV in EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the WILL of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Often, only as we reflect, and consider how far the Lord has taken us, and how much a work of Grace He has done in our lives that we cannot keep our mouths closed, but want to SHOUT THE PRAISES OF GOD for His goodness to us.
Don Moen wrote a great song
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
Give thanks with a grateful heart (with a grateful heart)
Give thanks to the Holy One (to the Holy One)
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart (with a grateful heart)
Give thanks to the Holy One (to the Holy One)
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich (I am rich)
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
Give thanks with a grateful heart.
As parents we had to teach and train our children to say many times “please” and “thank you” for we are born unthankful and are totally self centred.
Let me remind you of some of the things the Lord has done and continues to do constantly in our lives.
Psalm 68:19 NKJV Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY LOADS us with benefits, The God of our Salvation.
Psalm 55:22 NKJV Cast your burden on the Lord ,and He shall SUSTAIN you
He shall NEVER PERMIT THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE MOVED.
Deuteronomy 28:2 NKJV the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these BLESSINGS shall come upon you and OVERTAKE YOU, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Have you ever been driving on a highway and looked into your rear vision mirror and see a huge pan technic truck coming up behind you, and then overtake you, you are almost overwhelmed as it passes you, We are often almost overwhelmed as we reflect consider all the blessings God is pouring upon us daily.
May I encourage you to meditate on these three Scriptures, I have no doubt a song of thanksgiving will soon rise up in your heart,
WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE LOVE AND SERVE
I am also reminded that when David prayed his prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 as soon as he became aware that he was forgiven, in verse 14 & 15 he began to praise and rejoice before the Lord, but also, he realised he had been forgiven to be a blessing to others, we read in verse 13 hen I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to you.
LET US NEVER FORGET WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING.
