If there is any time when we ought to give thanks to God, it is now. Yes, it has been a very challenging year. Yes, the economy is challenged. But yes indeed, we have many reasons to praise the Lord.
There is danger all around, but miraculously, God has kept us. God has not allowed evil prophecies to materialize in our lives or in our land. Yes, storms blew. However, not only did the storm not carry us away, the Lord saw to it that we did not return empty-handed from our labours. Despite all challenges, we still have something to show for our efforts. Some may say that so far, the year has been a year of zero positives. For us children of God, however, we acknowledge that God is good to us; and we can point to positives; to definite evidences of progress. Hence, God deserves our praise. Isaiah the Prophet wrote:
Isaiah 9:2-3 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
The light of God’s good countenance is shining upon us, and His light has delivered us from death. Even though people may think that we live in the valley of the shadow of death, the light of God keeps delivering us from death. Our situation now looks like the one the Psalmist described in Psalms 126. The Psalmist said:
Psalms 126:1-2 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
The Lord has filled our mouths with laughter. On this day of the Lord therefore, let gratitude well up in our hearts, and let us offer God thanksgiving from the depths of our hearts. There is nothing more important that we should be doing at a time like this. God has been so good to us, and it is just good and fitting that we appreciate Him in every way possible:
Psalms 92:1-4 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
God has made us glad through His works in our lives. He has made us glad through His works in our families. He has made us glad through His works in our nation. We must therefore praise Him today.
- To be continued
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