“I had recently received bad news. Deep shadows of darkness seemed to cover my soul. I prayed but the darkness remained. Suddenly, one day, as I entered a friend’s home, I noticed these words: ‘Try giving thanks.’ I did, and in a moment every shadow was gone.”*
It is good to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:1).
*adapted from L.B. Cowman who cited Henry B. Frost in Streams in the Desert, p. 299.
I paused as we read Psalm 74:23: “The uproar of those who rise against Thee ascends continually.” I thought, “That’s awful. God deserves praise. Not insult.”
Later we sang, “Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne; Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own!*
May that be so!
*Matthew Bridges, Godfrey Thring, George Elvey, Crown Him with Many Crowns.
They stood
Surrounded
By beauty.
In silent stillness
They praised
God’s majesty.
There is a Creator.
His name is God.
As we sang, I imagined heaven. I almost heard the infant voices proclaiming their early blessings on his name.*
One day, our voices will join with those who never saw earth’s sun, forever to praise the Lord.
*adapted from Isaac Watts’ hymn, Jesus Shall Reign.
Jesus is wonderful. He does wonderful things. When He healed the sick, the Chief Priests were indignant and the children cried, “Hosanna (Matthew 21:14-15)!”
How do you respond to the wonderful things Jesus does for others? What if He forgives someone who has hurt you terribly?
Will your prayers be full of displeasure or praise?
I am a sinner. I received mercy.
My response? To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
Life on earth is hard.*
But soon the Lord will remove from His Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. . . .Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:41-43).
With thankful praise we anticipate our coming joy.
*Our life is fine, but many suffer.
