Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 12, 2014
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11–13
Gratitude to God is a wellspring of living water. It roots out all kinds of evil. Discontentment, self-pity, jealousy, and pride are no match for divine thankfulness. Gratitude to God is rooted in the realization of His character and what He has done for us. Everything is God’s, and everything comes from God. His majestic creation bows down and worships Him as a reflection of His glory. Nations and rulers, consciously or unconsciously, are under His authority. Moreover, money and respect come from God. He is the owner of all things.
Because He owns everything, He is ultimately responsible. And because He is responsible, He can be trusted. We can enjoy Him, His creation, His resources, His freedom, and each other. Christianity has its privileges for the follower of Jesus Christ. Heaven is sure, and sin has lost its grip. There is a glorious gratitude that erupts from our being when we reflect on God’s glorious riches. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Gratitude to God is one of the secrets to living the Christian life. Glorious gratitude means we never get over what He has done for us, what He is doing for us, and what He will do for us. It is remembering His past, present, and future faithfulness. Glorious gratitude is transformational because it is God-focused. The cares of this world melt like wax under the heat of heavenly appreciation. Have you thanked God for being God?
Godly gratitude understands what could have happened to you were it not for the grace of God. But, by the Lord’s intervention, He delivered you. It could have been a fatal car accident, but it was not. It could have been an immediate death, but it was not. It could have been a divorce, but it was not. It could have been a lifelong-prodigal child, but it was not. It could have been a dead-end job, but it was not. It could have been a relational wreck, but it was not. You could still be lost in your sins, but you are not!
He is worthy of praise, gratitude, and adoration. What a great and mighty God we serve. So take a bath with the soap of gratitude every day. Your attitude and actions will become clean and fresh. People will run toward you with interest rather than avoiding you in your misery. Gratitude is a magnet for God and people. It makes you pleasant rather than distasteful. Wear it well, and wear it regularly. It is one fashion statement that never goes out of style. Gratitude to the Most High is attractive to the Lord and the lost.
“We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 75:1).
Prayer: How has God protected and provided for me? How can gratitude to God guide my heart?
Related Readings: Daniel 2:23; Daniel 6:10; Acts 28:15; Romans 1:21
Post/Tweet today:. Gratitude never gets over what God has done for us, what He is doing for us, and what He will do for us. #wisdomhunters
Taken from the July 12th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 2” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Additional Resource: I love Ann Voskamp: http://bit.ly/1lUivkU
Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. www.wisdomhunters.com
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So what about those who did suffer loss of a loved one – maybe a child or spouse? What about those who did suffer divorce, or a dead end job, or a lifelong prodigal? What say you to them? I think that needs addressed before I can share this.
Dear Robin~ Thank you so much for reaching out to us with this important question. I understand your question, too ~ what do you say to someone who has lost a child? How can you find gratitude in that devastating event? (Or other losses like, sickness, divorce, etc..)
Why does God allow His children to suffer through these trials?
Well, what I do know is that we were never promised a life without loss and sorrow (that life is waiting for us in Heaven!).
In Romans 8:28 we learn that God “works all things together for good”, so these losses have an greater purpose (a divine purpose). Robin, I know that is a hard explanation for a loving parent that has lost their child. But look at our Heavenly Father ~ He saw His Precious Son die on the cross and the grief must have been more than we can imagine.
And we do know that God feels our pain and is right there with us as we walk through it.
“Never will I leave you;
Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Another thought, too, is that God’s ultimate purpose for his children is not to have a happy, problem-free life. Scripture tells us His Divine Purpose for us is to grow and become more like his Son.
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” Romans 8:29
I believe that our “journey” to becoming more like the image of Christ is made up of the trials, tribulations, the blessings and the joys. (Don’t you wish sometime it could just be the blessings and the joys??!!)
But those trials play a critical part in our “refining process”. Listen to what scripture tells us about this in 1 Peter 1:6-7:
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Again, Robin, that is hard to understand when someone is in pain because of a heartbreaking loss. I am thankful for the body of Christ during those times to reach out and comfort those with the love of Jesus. Many people have come to know Jesus through such a trial or witnessing the love and comfort of Jesus through a believer.
God’s Word provides many tender reminders that clearly tell us about trials:
“Consider it pure joy, my brethen, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.’ James 1:2-4,12
Robin, I hope this has helped some. If you would like to continue this conversation, please feel free to contact me:
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and hope to hear from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne