Picture life throwing curve ball after curve ball at you and your loved ones. Illness, death, accidents, disappointments, and uncertainties often weigh on our hearts and minds. When anxious and depressive thoughts come, it can be difficult for many of us to remain grateful. Perseverating over our problems sometimes becomes our primary focus.
When this happens, it is in our best interest to shift our gaze off of what we see as our problems. Instead, we should focus on who God is and what He has done for us. Despite hardships, our live’s are gracious gifts that God has given us.
Let’s explore Pslam 96 today as we discuss expressing gratitude and living a thankful life. The psalmist shows through this passage an expectation of the coming of Jesus!
Psalm 96:1-4 explains how the Israelites should express their gratitude for God:
Sing to the Lord a new song
Bless His name
Tell of His salvation daily
Declare His glory and marvelous works among all the peoples
Praise Him
Fear Him above all gods
So, these verses show that this gratitude should be shared among all peoples so that it can be a witness of the one true God to the whole world.
Moving on in Psalm 96 verses 7 through 9, the Gentiles are called to join in worship with the Israelites. The psalm looks forward to a time when Gentiles “Ascribe” to the one true God:
So, as you shift your gaze toward God in gratitude, remember this psalm for all the ways you can express gratitude through worship and praise. Yes, your anxious and depressive thoughts seem larger than life, but I challenge you to focus on gratefulness.
With this said, utilize the expectancy of the second coming of the Messiah. At that time, all will be made right! Because of who God is and all He has done, we have great reason to express gratitude and live a thankful life.
Sadness and feelings of defeat may come when hardship hits, but remember not to focus so much on those feelings that you miss the opportunity to worship and praise God.
Keep a heart of gratitude in all things. Trust God’s word in Romans 8:28 when it says,
Waiting on God for breakthrough can be hard sometimes and can test our faith. As women of God, we must resist the temptation to stop believing God for everything He says He is and everything He says He can do.
In this post, I want to share a verse that will help you hold fast to your faith. As you wait for an answer to your prayer, healing, financial recovery, a change…remember what God’s Word says for encouragement and support.
They Shall Inherit The Land
Psalm 37:8-9
' Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. '
God wants you and I to be still in silence as we wait for Him. He also wants us to embody the fruit of the spirit, patience. No matter what we are waiting on God for, we should not become frustrated. Anger and wrath at others will only lead to transgression.
Suppose you are waiting for a financial breakthrough. Psalm 37 tells us not to “fret” over those who carry out evil. God doesn’t want us to worry or be anxious while we wait. For example, you may notice those who carry out evil boast of their great wealth. It may be discouraging to hear and see this, but scripture tells us to not become angry at these things. We are reminded that evil doers will be cut off and believers will inherit the earth. We will receive provision and peace in due time.
Encouragement For Today
My sister, don’t; worry or be anxious about what you are waiting on God to do. He’s got you and has not forgotten you. Don’t envy others, but instead focus on trusting God to be the God who can make the impossible possible. Quiet yourself and release your frustrations. God is for you and has not forgotten you.
Prayer
Dear God,
Help me to wait patiently for you. You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. God, nothing is impossible for you. I’m believing by faith that what you will provide will be the best for my circumstance. You know all things and I praise you for knowing what’s ahead and protecting me. Help me to not become frustrated by others or envious of others. Teach me to acknowledge and be grateful for all you have done for me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Thank You
Thank you for reading! Please share this post with someone who needs encouragement or a reminder of God’s faithfulness to come through for us.
In the comments, tell me what you are waiting on God for. I will pray for your strength to press on and wait patiently for the breakthrough you are waiting on.
Blessings My Sister!
Priscilla
Read the Gospel Message according to the scriptures thoroughly and a prayer of salvation here.
John 1:5 ESV “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Divine Comfort
I am comforted as a believer knowing that Jesus, The Light, is never overcome by darkness.
Are you tired of living under a dark cloud? Are you desperate for hope and deliverance from the bondage brought on by the wrong decisions that you have made?
The Sin Dilemma
When humans are born we are born into sin. We walk in darkness as long as we are walking life without Jesus as our Savior. Jesus is the light who shows us that we are sinners in need of salvation. We need redemption from a life and existence in darkness.
Sin is present and constant in our world. The good news is Jesus prevents believers from walking through the darkness brought on by sin. Jesus, the Light is truth. He purifies our thoughts so that we can be aware of right from wrong. Jesus shows us how to live based on the example he left for us in the Gospels.
When we become saved, the darkness of sin no longer has a hold over our lives. We are redeemed from the curse of sin (death) and are free to walk in the light. We see the presence of God when we no longer walk in darkness but in light. Knowing God’s presence brings us hope, strengthens our faith, and shows us His gifts of grace and mercy over our lives.
His Sacrifice Matters
Jesus was persecuted and crucified by enemies who were of darkness. But, as John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” In His death, Jesus was glorified and victorious in His resurrection.
This selfless sacrifice provided us a way out of darkness through salvation.
Here’s Why You Should Become A Believer In Jesus
Becoming a believer today will free you from sin’s darkness. You can begin to walk in the light as your life is transformed by the renewing of your mind. Life may not always be easy, but you will have the hope found in your savior moving forward.
Becoming a believer today gives you the knowledge of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit living inside of you.
And you also have the promise of eternity with God according to John 3:16 which says,
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
15 “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. 16 They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. 17 For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
3 “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.””
Choose this day, the light or the darkness.
Read the Gospel Message according to the scriptures thoroughly and a prayer of salvation here!
Thank you for reading! Please share this post with someone who needs to hear or be reminded of the good news.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
As you look at the world that we live in, do you see the lack of love for one another? The lack of joy and peace? The absence of empathy and support for one another is a realistic description of our world. Many of us walk around saddened, embittered, and in torment because of this.
Jesus came with a great example of how we should live and treat one another. True unity comes about when we stand as one together with God’s desires. God chose to send His Son Jesus to redeem us from sin. His desire is for us all to be purified of sin and never separate from Him. Jesus did not please himself, but He carried the weight of our sins on Him as he journeyed to the cross. He fulfilled the Father’s mission for him!
Do you find that you are void of joy and peace at times? If yes, this could have a large part to do with a lack of God’s hope. As humans we look for security, especially in the world. Security can be found in others on a physical level to an extent, but more importantly security in God always restores us. Without God, we have no hope of living in unity with God’s desires, finding joy and peace.
Do not be saddened or worrisome because Romans 15:13 describes our God as one of hope. This hope fills us with joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only through the Holy Spirit do we abound in hope.
God gives us loads and loads of hope when we trust in Him.
If you are doing life alone, you should acquaint yourself with the God of hope. God has showered you with His grace to do so. He is the God of hope for every Jew and Gentile. By the power of the Holy Spirit, receive God’s hope and live in joy and peace.
As we all believe, receive God’s hope, selflessly stand in support of each other and with God’s desires, we will strengthen one another instead of taring one another down.
Let us pray for hope, joy, peace and unity with one another concerning God’s will.
Dear God, Strengthen me to walk in your desires and support others around me. Thank you for Jesus, my example. Help me trust in you so that I may experience your hope. I want to live in joy and peace, experience a life of love and support for others. I pray for us as a world to turn our desires away and live in your godly desires. You alone are our only hope for joy and peace. Help us become more like your Son Jesus everyday. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.
Before you go, name your greatest takeaway from this devotional in the comments.
Have an amazing week!
P.S. – Do you want to become a believer today? I’ll show you how here.
Do you ever have an attack of condemnation that causes you to doubt God’s grace and His forgiveness of your sins? This is a normal area of doubt, but it’s not the truth to believe that if you have repented you have not been forgiven. Will the Holy Spirit help me understand God better? Let’s explore this.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Crossway Bibles 2008).
Before any of us become saved, we are wicked and will live a life separated from God for eternity. But when we turn from wickedness and unrighteous thoughts through repentance, God has compassion for us. With His compassion, He forgives our sins instantly just as He did for the wicked in Isaiah.
Coming from a sinful nature, it may be hard for many of us to understand the power of grace initially. God created grace and by His thought pattern, way, and through Jesus’ sacrifice, it causes grace to be enough for the forgiveness of sins.
Remember that repentant believers are under grace. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s love and purpose for grace. When you understand how much God loves you, you will rest assured that the free gift of grace through faith is sufficient for the forgiveness of your sins and you personally.
Just as we have little understanding of the heavens, we have minimal understanding of God’s ways and thoughts. But, when we find ourselves in confusion, we can rely on the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to show us love, give us spiritual understanding, and peace.
Pray Today:
Dear Lord,
Please help me never underestimate your gift of grace. Lead me Holy Spirit to understand the Father’s thoughts and ways better. Lead Holy Spirit to find peace in God’s love.
Do you want to become a believer today? I’ll show you how here.
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