Do You Possess the Power of Being Thankful?
Good Morning Friends,
Sitting safely in the shelter of Bible discussions among ourselves or complaining to one another about the horrible state of today’s society, does nothing to unleash the power of God. The long journey inward and outward must be made before we enter the Promised Land. For here God meets us in the experience of our gifts and weakness in the process of how we are deployed for a holy purpose in history. A friend of mine prompted my thinking on this when he shared some of his thoughts on the readings Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics about the Doctrine of Reconciliation and some thoughts of Dag Hammarskjold who once offered this prayer that seems so appropriate for the family time between Thanksgiving and Christmas: “For everything that has been – Thank you! For everything that will be – Yes!” Dag Hammarskjold also said: “Life yields only to the conqueror. Never accept what can be gained by giving in. You will be living off stolen goods, and your muscles will atrophy.” Similarly, as I interpret my friend’s thoughts on Karl Barth’s writings on Reconciliation, there is a moment of tension which decides whether the path will be good or evil, pointing out, as I interpret it, that God energizes us to good only if we have a thankful heart. Now I do not really understand Karl Barth completely but the importance of being thankful makes us less lonely and more courageous. So, friends, on this path of salvation there are pitfalls. We must learn that to possess the promises of God we must have the right attitude of complete confidence in God for deliverance no matter what appears to be in front of us. Do You Possess the Power of Being Thankful?
Scripture: The Lord will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. You shall devour all the peoples that the Lord your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. If you say to yourself, “These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?” do not be afraid of them. Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. Moreover, the Lord your God will send the pestilence against them, until even the survivors and the fugitives are destroyed. Have no dread of them, for the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a great and awesome God. The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to make a quick end of them, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you. But the Lord your God will give them over to you, and throw them into great panic, until they are destroyed. He will hand their kings over to you and you shall blot out their name from under heaven; no one will be able to stand against you, until you have destroyed them. The images of their gods you shall burn with fire. Do not covet the silver or the gold that is on them and take it for yourself, because you could be ensnared by it; for it is abhorrent to the Lord your God. Do not bring an abhorrent thing into your house, or you will be set apart for destruction like it. You must utterly detest and abhor it, for it is set apart for destruction.
Deuteronomy 7:15-27 (NRSV)
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 (NRSV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV)
Message: Today we look at the way of a Christian in a world that is changing.
We are to realize that each of us matters beyond measure. We are to trust in the love of God for the people of God for we are to be part of the plan. Before the Israelites possessed any of the promises and moved into the promised land, they had to face a formidable resistance. They had success and failures, but they did it together. Ultimately what made them successful was having a thankful heart. Believing in the promises of God and the plan is essential. You see Israel had been chosen because they were able to respond. They had learned how not to whine. So too we are chosen. Not for our skill but more so because of our faith to act with the right attitude. Here we just might realize that with the right attitude our weakness is made strong in God and that our giftedness and skill can be used for good, but that even great skills will turn to evil if they do not have the love of a thankful heart. And here we are to understand that God acts in history and in our lives in similar fashion. And that conquest of any kind seems harder than it really is. So, friends, if God is working in our lives, and I believe God is, there is no room for fear. Every person’s part is essential in the creative whole of God’s plan. Giving thanks for each other and each experience makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress. The message is about connecting our heart and head in a way that transforms.
Pray that this season bless us each with a thankful heart.
Pray we are to be watchful and prayerful so we might live above anxiety, but be thankful for even the anxiety. Pray that our courage developed out of love has a foundation of thanksgiving for God and all that comes in the experience of life. Pray we accept our moral and spiritual responsibility. Pray we expect great things from God. Pray we are part of something intended by God to be connected in a magnificent completeness. Pray we have a conviction in God’s providence ruling and risking loving us. Pray that our hearts are filled with love, thanksgiving and courage. Pray we have the power of being thankful for God’s purpose manifested in both our strengths and weaknesses reconciled as part of God’s Holy plan. Pray we have thankful hearts.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 