Thanksgiving is quickly coming with the days flying past; and so, we continued to focus on giving thanks …

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I have seen God’s salvation, provision, healing, transformation, and protection.

I have seen God’s display of beauty in the world around me.

I have seen His power each time lightening flashes across the sky.

I have seen His mercy and faithfulness each morning as the sun rises.

All of these occurrences foster trust and faith that God will do it again; that He is worthy of our trust.

Have you found this to be true in your life? How do you think seeing in the past creates future trust?

As I have been reflecting on the quote, two words keep coming to mind – God is.

God is always present, ever will be, constantly doing something. God is always at work.

And this is what builds future trust in us.

Lord, how I thank You for what I have seen. When I recall each time You have been faithful, You have protected, You have provided, You have restored, You have healed, You have displayed Your beauty and power across the sky, I am strengthened to trust You for the future. Thank You for growing in us the ability to trust You more and more. Amen.

 

~*~*~

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NASB)

Reading the verse in several other versions, it was this wording which struck deeply:

“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” (AMPC)

It was seeing the word “withhold” which grabbed my attention. It has been the lie the enemy has been feeding us since the garden. The enemy of our souls would have us convinced, believing even, that God withholds good things from us.

The truth is that He has never withheld, but always given us the very best He had – His very own Son.

He not only gave us His best, He gave to us graciously. Graciously, meaning in a way that was helpful, meant for our comfort or ease.

Why is this important to remember?

Pondering this question, I realized when we don’t remember, we can begin to doubt God’s goodness to us. When we don’t remember, comparison can set in, which then breeds ingratitude for what we have, and have been given.

“When God closes a door to you, He is being as good and gracious as when He opens one for you. The disappointment you feel is natural, but it’s not accurate. Your heavenly Father will deny you nothing good. Rest in that.”
(Author unknown)

Father, thank You for all You have given so graciously. Forgive us for the times we think You have withheld from us. For You alone graciously give us all things. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

~*~*~

Let’s think on and discuss this quote:

“I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.”
(C.S.Lewis)

Consummation, according to dictionary.com is “the act of completion, perfection, fulfillment.”

Maybe this is why praise is so important to us as believers. As we find enjoyment or delight in our journey with the Lord, praise brings a fulfillment. Praise causes our hearts to swell and recognize just how much delight God brings to our souls.

What do you think this means? Does praise bring greater joy to the things we enjoy?

In this moment, I am grateful for a hot cup of coffee, for the stillness in the morning, and for the words to this song which came back to mind this morning:

“With each breath he’s given, Christ the Lord
In these times we live in, we will praise the Lord
Throughout every season I am sure
We have every reason to praise the Lord.”

(from Rejoice by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Rend Collective)

What are you grateful for in this moment?

~*~*~

God is.
God gives graciously.
We have every reason to bring Him our praise.

 

 

 

Image by Bruno from Pixabay
Today I may be joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .