If you are reading along with me, you will have noticed already that today's Psalm--Psalm 117--did not take very long to read this morning. In fact, when I chose to write down verse 2 in my Bible notebook I was writing down half the Psalm! That's right--it is only two verses! The first verse tells us that we are to praise the Lord--and the second verse tells us "why."
"For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!" Psalm 117:2
I found a devotional thought that is centered around praising God, which I read this morning and I thought it goes right along with this Psalm:
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"If we will consecrate heart and mind to the service of God, doing the work He has for us to do and walking in the footsteps of Jesus, our hearts will be come sacred harps, every chord of which will send forth praise and thanksgiving to the Lamb sent by God to take away the sins of the world. .
Christ would have our thoughts center upon Him. . . Look away from self to Jesus Christ, the life of every blessing, every grace, the life of all that is precious and valuable to the children of God. . .
The Lord Jesus is our strength and happiness, the great storehouse from which, on every occasion, men may draw strength. As we study Him, talk of Him, become more and more able to behold Him--as we avail ourselves of His grace and receive the blessings he proffers us, we have something with which to help others. Filled with gratitude, we communicate to others the blessings that have been freely given us. Thus receiving and imparting, we grow in grace; and a rich current of praise and gratitude constantly flows from our lips; the sweet spirit of Jesus kindles thanksgiving in our hearts, and our souls are uplifted with a sense of security. The unfailing, inexhaustible righteousness of Christ becomes our righteousness by faith.
Let the fresh blessings of each new day awaken praise in our hearts for these tokens of His loving care
When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon, and night let gratitude as a sweet perfume ascend to heaven. . .
The angels of God, thousands upon thousands, . . . guard us against evil and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our destruction. Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway?"
Our Father Cares, by E. G. White, p 47
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I especially like the part about as soon as we open our eyes in the morning--we should be thanking God for keeping us through the night. This is something I need to practice on, for often my mind first starts jumping to whatever it is I need to get done that day! But first--I need to pray!
So as you go throughout your day today, don't forget to praise your Father in heaven--and receive the fresh blessings of each new day!
~Susan
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