Years ago, in a devotion about Psalm 138, Pastor Mary quoted the first line I’m sharing with you from Thomas Merton’s “Thoughts in Solitude” (1956), page 33, and I want to reshare that line and a few more: “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God is everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is grace, for it brings with us immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder, and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”
Friends, it is not enough for you and I to simply acknowledge what God has done for us through some quick routine that over time becomes meaningless and is simply a part of our daily checklist. True gratitude is a state of spiritual oneness through the most personal relationship with Jesus where we recognize that every single thing, person, action, moment, and even breath, is all thanks to Jesus and His love for us. You might be thinking that your current circumstance is tough, or your past circumstances were tough, or something coming up is looking like it’s going to be really tough, and you may be asking how on earth do I thank Jesus for these tough places? Well, you get in the most comfortable place you know, you close your eyes, quiet your soul (your mind, will, and emotions), extend your hand out and ask Jesus to hold it as you bring His hand back towards your chest and place it against your heart. In this place of solitude with Jesus, you P.R.A.Y: first P-Praise, thank Jesus for everything good in your life, and if you can’t think of something good, well, thank Him for the breath in your lungs right now. Next, R-Repent, ask Jesus to forgive those places within your heart, those hidden places, that need His love to permeate and renew. A-Ask, ask Jesus to surround your troubles, like we see David did within today’s passage, because we know God wants to protect us. Finally, Y-Yield, this sometimes is the most difficult place as it requires us to fully trust and wait on the Lord. While we trust and wait, we must believe that the Lord has not, will not, and will never forsake us because we are a part of His beautiful creation and plan, which means that His faithful love will endure in us for all eternity, and He will never abandon us.
Psalm 138
A psalm of David.
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.
2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
by all the honor of your name.
3 As soon as I pray, you answer me;
you encourage me by giving me strength.
4 Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
for all of them will hear your words.
5 Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
for the glory of the Lord is very great.
6 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud.
7 Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for hearing each one of our hearts when we cry out to You for strength. We are grateful for absolutely everything, as we know You are the One Who blesses us and protects us in every moment and within our times of trouble. Please continue to hold our hands as we walk out each step of our journeys with You, Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.