WATCHWORD:
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Meditation:
Praise God
Years ago, when I was in my second or third year as a volunteer at Heifer International Learning Center in Arkansas, I struck up a conversation with another volunteer who was in her second week at the Ranch, working with livestock. She was a recent veterinary medicine graduate from a Texas university, and was doing an internship at the Ranch.
Early one morning, I had come to the Show Barn to assist with bottle-feeding baby lambs and goats. She was sitting in a stall on a hay bale, in the posture of prayer. As I started to move on she looked up, smiled at me and greeted me with a “good morning”. Then, as if to explain, she said she was just talking to God, telling him how very grateful she was for being here at the Ranch, working with a wonderful corps of volunteers. I smiled and acknowledged her comment with a “God bless your day”, and then moved on to my own chores.
But I was curious about this young lady. Every now and then our paths would cross and we would have a brief conversation, usually about how blessed we are. I got the distinct impression that her conversation with God never stopped. It was like she was taking seriously the words of Paul, advising Christians to rejoice in the Lord always, and to give thanks in all circumstances.
Sometime later, she told me that she had been a victim of abuse early in her teenage years. In the midst of those most difficult times, she said she found Christ and He literally saved her life. Her conversations with God was her grateful way of praising Him and rejoicing, always.
I would like to think that I praise God for all of His blessings every day, at least once during my morning meditation. But always? For some people, praising God continually comes naturally, like breathing. For others, not so much. I wonder if the praising of God flows most readily when things are going smoothly and we feel truly blessed, or mostly when we encounter difficult times. I wonder if some of us take for granted that the good times were the result of somethings we have done, minimizing the true reality, that God has done it all.
In the recent Verse-A-Day, the commentary on the Thessalonians passage, makes the observation that when we pray continually in all circumstances because it can and will drive our gratitude and help us remember to praise him! No matter the situation or circumstance, turbulent or calm waters, anchor yourself in Christ. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
Praying the Scriptures:
Praise God that He is love (I John 4:7-8), and that because of Jesus’ sacrifice you know what love looks like (I John 3:16). Praise God that He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and that He is your solid Rock, your Fortress, your Rescuer, your Shield, your salvation’s strength, and your place of safety (Psalm 18:2). Praise the Lord for being the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable (Isaiah 40:28). His ways are higher than your ways, and His thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). Praise the God whose way is perfect. Praise Him that His Word proves true and that He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him (Psalm 18:30). Amen and Amen.
