A Grateful Heart

There is a lot of uncertainty and apprehension these days concerning the world’s economy. Every continent and country has been affected in the financial downturn. Many are watching as investment portfolios decrease dramatically in value.

Just yesterday a new friend shared with me that she had lost her job in January and has been unable to find another one. Several of her friends are in the same position. There is a lot of gloom but we still have so much to be thankful for.

In the middle of this all I read Psalm 100 and am reminded that we need to be grateful and praise God at all times. We will have to tighten our belts and reassess our priorities and make choices as much as everyone else even as we trust in God. So how do we look at this situation in God’s eyes and still be thankful to Him?

Has the abundance we have enjoyed caused us to rely on ourselves more than trusting God? Could this financial downturn actually be an opportunity for us as Christians to realign our priorities? Can we still trust God for our needs and give to others who are in more dire need than us?

I like the way the Psalmist puts it. “The Lord is always good…his faithfulness goes on and on.” That puts it all in perspective for me.

“Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey him gladly; come before him, singing with joy.
Try to realize what this means –the Lord is God! He made us – we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Go through his open gates with great thanksgiving; enter his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is always good, He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generations.”
Psalm 100 [The Living Bible]
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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21. If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it. I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Judges 9:22-10:18
Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 14:11-12

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