Greetings in Christ,
Have your ever sat down and just thought about how great God really is? Really? How often? Despite all the bad going on in your life, have you sat down and just let your mind think of how good God is to you?
It is amazing how some people treasure their assets. They have worked hard for their money, bought nice big houses, have luxury vehicles with all the bells and whistles, and if they are lucky, they have all the play toys (boats, ATV, motorcycle) to show everyone they have worked hard. They have reached the pinnacle of their lives with their success, and they have earned every dime they have made. Do they think about how good God is?
Going on vacation can open your eyes to how people live in other areas. You get to see just how the people in other parts of this nation live and how they like to show off what they have. A trip to the Lake of the Ozarks can be a good way to see just how people work hard and like to acquire all the nice things in life.
There were a lot of people who had nice homes, cars, boats, and they liked to be out on the lake boating all day. They had nice tans and they enjoyed the good life while they were having fun with the things they have acquired. Now I am not condemning them for having these things, but it got me to thinking do they really give God the credit for being good to them? Do they really believe they have made this life for themselves on their own?
The real difference between someone who really believes in God verses those who just merely believe in God; they give God the thanks for what they have. The real followers of God know just where things in life come from and Who to give thanks. It is not about looking inward to the self and declaring what the individual has done. It is looking upward to God and thanking Him.
God wants us to thank Him for all He has done. That is all God wanted when Joshua and the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho. That is all God wanted when Jesus healed the man who was lowered down through the roof to see Jesus. That is all God wanted when Paul was on trial in Jerusalem, and when he was on trial in Rome. All these actions were geared to get people to look to God and give Him thanks. God was hopeful people would see Him for Who He was—a Great God.
We do not know why we go through the trials here on earth we go through, but whatever it is we need to look to God and give Him thanks. We often get caught up in the idea our lives should be free from the perils of this life when we serve God, but the exact opposite happens. We encounter things which are made to make us fall, but with the help of God we can overcome and grow to be better Christians. If God can make the walls of Jericho fall, Jesus heals the paralytic man just by telling him to get up and walk, and go with Paul to give him the strength to endure being in jail God can work in our lives with the same power as He did then.
Have your ever sat down and just thought about how great God really is? Do you really think He is good to you? Have you told Him this? He really is good to us!
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout joyfully before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:4-9
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm 103:19-22
Lord may we give You thanks for all You do, and may we never take for granted just How good You are to us. Amen
Blessings,