Skip to main content

The Day After

Thanksgiving Day is over, but this does not mean that our devotion to thank God everyday should be. In Psalms 34:1, David declared, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” How often do words like "blessed", "thankful," or "undeserving" pass our lips from day to day? I find that in my own conversations I am an expert at utilizing the statements "I want this," "I gotta have that," and/or "I just need a little more." Oh how quick we are to set our hearts on the possessions of this life that we lose sight of the promises of the life that is to come! Black Friday has become our new holiday. On Thanksgiving, we manage to quickly tip our hats to God, while taking a meager glance at the blessings we have already received. Yet, once we feel we have paid enough lip service, we immediately cast our eyes on bigger and better things.
For David, he not only made a commitment to praise God continually, but also he longed for others to join in the anthem of thanksgiving as well. We find in verse 3 that he wrote, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”Truly, one who bears the testimony of a thankful heart, will also be a witness of the gospel. Though our aim is to please the Father alone, our hearts should not be comfortable with leading a solo of praise, but we should desire for souls all around us to become part of the grace filled chorus we now sing.
You see, there was a reason why David was so involved in glorifying God and wanting others to do the same. Verse 8 states, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” His life overflowed with joy and praise, because he experienced the glorious presence of God. Many Christians are not truly thankful, because it has been a long time since they have tasted of and seen God's goodness. Covetousness has blinded their eyes to the eternal matters of life and pride has stifled their hunger for knowing God. They don't try to find the time to sit at His feet in prayer and adoration. It has been far too long since they have nourished themselves with God’s blessed Word. They haven’t sought to know Christ from day to day. They are too busy nibbling on the morsels of empty religion to realize that their is a banquet of blessings waiting for them at the table of communion with Christ! May we learn that to truly praise Him, we must be first seeking our satisfaction in Him alone.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wanderers

One night I dreamed of a massive crowd aimlessly wandering through an empty town I tried to stop several people as they passed by But they paid me no heed, as If deaf and blind Finally I happened upon a somber, yet curious lad He asked me, “What brings you to the Town of Misled?” I said, “I'm not sure how I got here, nor for what reason.” “Well then” The boy smirked without hesitation “You're in good company alright, for we are all met with the same plight. Our vision is impaired, our understanding is empty. Indeed we are stuck in endless mediocrity.” Once more I looked around at all the hollow expressions Then stared back at the tattered boy with deep compassion “What can I do to help you and all of these poor souls? Perhaps some money for food, a strong education, and fine clothes?” The boy began to cry, while shaking his head “You don't get it sir, we already have plenty we possess. Our needs lie not in material wealth and f...
1 comment
Read more

Star Light

I remember, when I was a child, my brother and I wanted to camp out in our front yard. We even talked our friends into joining us. We begged our parents to let us sleep out under the stars without a tent, because it would not rain that evening. It was somewhat foolish, but we were not thinking about the insects, strong winds, or even the morning dew. We just thought it would be fun to sleep outside. I think we lasted a solid hour in the dark, but once the cold wind blew and the mosquitoes landed, our imagination dissipated and we ran back indoors. Though we didn't stay out long, I do remember the stars that night. They were unusually bright and seemed to crowd the sky more than any other night. I don't think I will ever “grow out of” being in awe over the beauty of stars. I don't believe King David did either. He wrote in Psalms 19, “ The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shar...
Post a Comment
Read more

FANATICS

 In Carthage, there has been a lot of talk lately over the High School's new Big Screen in the Football Stadium. It is one of the largest HS Football Screens in America. There was an interesting article about it on Yahoo sports. It costs roughly around $750,000. Statistically, around forty percent of people in Carthage claim to be Baptists (Not just Christian, but Baptist). Yet, I find it so amazing how many people here idolize sports, paticularly Baseball and Football. I am certainly not seeking to piously condemn the whole city. I enjoy many types of sports, but I pray my enjoyment and fun for them never turns to an ever-increasing fixation. Instead of the screaming fan on the sidelines whose face paint is slowly dripping off with a mixture of sweat, I consider myself to be the guy who gives a couple of approving grunts and simply tips his hat, when the game is over. What about you?...
Post a Comment
Read more