I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.
2 God Most High, I will rejoice; I will celebrate and sing because of you.
3 When my enemies face you, they run away and stumble and are destroyed. Psalm 7:1-3 (CEV)
Last night I fixed a roasted chicken, rice and veggies and cranberry sauce and used my best tablecloth. It felt like Thanksgiving in March! I told those around the table I felt so grateful and inspired to have such a menu. There is not great event which sparked this feeling of thankfulness but it is more about how I can look at every aspect of my life right now and I am so grateful to see the LORD in each scene. It just doesn’t get better. But God has proven to me there is always more when He is involved!
I do not have a perfect life. There are concerns (does that sound better than worry?) and struggles I bring to the LORD every day. He is faithful and lets His presence known to me.
Last night, I had a particular decision I brought to Him and ended my conversation (prayer) with the song I share with you at the end of this devotion. I slept well last night. I do not have a definitive, confirmed answer yet to the decision but I know God will reveal what He wants me to do. I am open to whatever He wants.
I am often asked “How do you know what God is saying? And how do you know it’s God speaking?” At first, I didn’t always know. I had not spent much time with Him so I didn’t know His voice. When I first met my husband, I didn’t always recognize his voice when he would telephone me. Today if you gave me 20 recordings I could pick him out for sure. It’s not just the sound and timbre of his voice but it is also the little characteristics of his speech. It is the same with God. I have learned His character, His voice.
“The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out. When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.” John 10:3-5 (CEV)
I am so grateful to hear God in the song of birds outside my window. I see His joy in the laughter of a child last night. I am grateful to know now, today, that when trials and sadness come, God will still be here. I will see Him in the compassion of my husband, children and close friends. When I weep into my pillow, His Spirit will be there to comfort and lead me into rest. God has already proven Himself.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
Take time today to give thanks. And if you are struggling and can’t seem to find a way past those boulders in your path, stretch out your hand. And then give thanks when you know the comfort of Jesus’ hand taking yours to help you and His voice encouraging you to take one more step.
I Just Want to Thank You sung by Lindell Cooley
