I have enjoyed reading everyone's thanksgiving posts on face book this month. How about you? It is neat to see the little things that bless our days! Like - chocolate, COKE, warm homes, friends, our children, family and someone was even thankful for their in-laws! There ya have it. :)
Sometimes we tend to think that only "good" things are blessings. Yes, I am guilty of that. Most of the time I do not stop and thank God for a difficult time in my life and ask Him to use me in that circumstance, and to be glorified in and through me. Nope, usually I complain, worry, fret, and do not sleep!
Scripture says that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He does not change. Amen to that!
I was sharing Psalm 57 with a friend the other day. In this Psalm we learn about God's faithfulness and love in times of trials. When we face trials, God will quiet our hearts and give us confidence. David was hiding in a cave and King Saul had 3,000 warriors out to hunt him down like an animal! We have the end of the story, but David did not. All he knew was that he had lost everything, and someone that he had cared about was out to kill him. We know that even in that deep, dark and lonely cave God was preparing David to someday be King!
In verse 8, David calls out to his soul and reached for his instruments to prepare for praise. Before a new day begins, he wants to 'awaken the dawn' with his song honoring God's faithfulness. Instead of spending a sleepless night worrying about what he cannot change, he uses those wakeful hours to meditate on an expression through praise and song.
David's example shows us how to turn times of stress into times of blessing by considering God's faithfulness in comparison with our fleeting problems.
Spend some time meditating on this Psalm today.
Maybe there is something in your life that you consider a curse, a damnation, or just plain not fair!
Here is a wonderful song by Laura Story. Read the lyrics and let the person of God cover you today.
What blessings of disguise have you or I missed?
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast, I will sing and make music.
We love you -
Thanks for the reminder - CAthy
ReplyDeleteThanks you, you are right, it is easier to praise God for the "good stuff" but the hard stuff is good too! I will remember to put up a praise about the difficult times that the Lord has got me through!! Love you ladies and miss you all. Praying that God continues to do amazing things in the lives of His children! Love, Dawn
ReplyDeleteLord help me to know that you are there even in trying times and that they may just be mercies in disguise. Help me to put all my hope and trust in you and not in my circumstances. Help me to see blessings even in the midst of pain. Thank you, Gail! I needed this today!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail for the post. Through very trying times in the life of our family came the mercies of Katie, Abby and Jackson. Kayla and Will are blessings as well. When it was the darkest and there was little hope for these children along came mercies from God to show them the way. A mothers arms were full of his blessings and mercy. Thank you for reminding us to be ever mindful of God's care even in the trials. See you in about 2 hours. Marilyn
ReplyDeleteI have missed being part of the class on Wednesday's. Thank you for the post, Gail! This song is such a blessing and started playing on the radio right in the midst of one of the hardest chapters of my life. It is very hard to see what God has planned but He does have our best in mind.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Brandy
Brandy, We have missed you too. Are you still trying to move? This week will be our last until the first of the year. We're taking a break for the crazy holiday schedules, but that doesn't mean we can't meet up for coffee you know - well, coffee/tea. I need some coffee buddies!
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