Friday, November 23, 2018
I remember when I was younger how excited I got about birthdays and Christmas. I don't even have to say why. You already know. The presents and gifts. I count myself blessed to be able to say I have typically received gifts on both those days throughout my life. I live in a nation that is blessed, I grew up in a home that was blessed, and I have a home now that is also blessed. But Thanksgiving has come and gone. Will I keep counting my blessings? Will I continue to express my gratitude to God for what I've been given?
I also remember vividly those days after Christmas and birthdays. One thing my wife always has our children try to do is make a list of the gifts that were given to them -- and then get ready to write the thank yous for them all. "Do we have to?" The answer is obvious. She'll also have our family make a fall Thanksgiving tree in which we write something we're thankful for on each leaf. Making a list of our blessings helps us understand what gratitude and being grateful to God is all about in a world that has become more and more entitled and self-centered.
HOW CAN I EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE? -- MAKE A LIST
I like how the Psalmist points our thoughts to this list-making. He speaks about taking inventory of the LORD's gifts and blessings. In fact, he states that we should be so careful and diligent in this, that we don't forget any!
Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
With this praise of our LORD God and this list in mind, let's now go back to the beginning of our thoughts here. What kind of inventory or "thank you" cards can we write to our LORD? The majority of this short list in the Psalm here, like the Lord's Prayer, focuses on spiritual gifts rather than material gifts. So today, following your Thanksgiving celebration of His material gifts yesterday, give thanks to the LORD for His forgiveness and love in Christ, His healing hand, His eternal redemption from death, and His daily display of kindness. And pray for the excitement again of taking inventory of all His gifts. Because His gifts benefit your soul and renew your heart. Be like a child again who is excited and finds joy in counting all the LORD's blessings with deep gratitude!
