Today’s Key Scripture

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

— Psalm 107:1

Jesus tells a story in Luke 17of a time when ten men, each stricken with leprosy, a long-term infectious skin disease that can lead to muscle weakness, poor eyesight, loss of extremities, and even death. They cried to Him for mercy and sent them on their way. They were healed, completely free of the dreaded disease, yet only one of the men turned back to give thanks.

The great Bible teacher A. W. Tozer once remarked, “Men are notoriously lacking in gratitude. Bible history reveals that Israel often took God’s gifts too casually and so turned their blessings into a curse.”

Stop for a moment and ponder all the gifts that you may have taken for granted, perhaps even too casually. Hopefully, none of us lacks appreciation for the gift of salvation or the gift of the Holy Spirit, but how about the amazing opportunity to have daily, unceasing fellowship in His presence?

What a privilege we have to be able to express gratefulness to Almighty God! May we never be too proud, too busy, or too careless to tell Him how deeply thankful we are.

How can you show gratefulness? The apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

God loves gratitude. A thankful heart and a voice lifted to God gets His attention.

 

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I’m so grateful to You for everything You are doing in my life. I praise You today for all You are bringing to pass. You are lovely and loving, even when I am unlovable. Your presence in my life changes everything, even as it empowers me to trust in You and to live every moment of every day content in knowing that You want the very best for me. Whatever I go through today, remind me that no matter what happens, I can praise You in all things! I pray all this in the name above all names, Jesus, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.