Day 14: Gratitude on the Run
Scripture Reading: Psalm 56
Psalm 56 is a hymn of praise and trust, of confidence and strength, of worship and gratitude. If your Bible includes inscriptions at the beginning of selected Psalms, though, you'll notice that this particular one was written in far less than ideal circumstances.
David was on the run from King Saul, and when spotted and seized by the Philistines in the city of Gath, he had faked insanity to avoid being detained. This was definitely a desperate man in desperate straits.
Yet in the midst of intense, frightening hardship, he submitted himself to the Lord's protection, and found within this relationship the ability to say, "When I am afraid, I trust in you....What can flesh do to me?" (vv. 3-4). He didn't deny the reality of what was happening to him but he found reason to be grateful even for his sorrows, knowing that the Lord was catching every one of his tears in a bottle (v. 8).
The bottom line for David in this experience: "I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life" (vv. 12-13).
Perhaps it's hard for you to find much to be thankful for today. Perhaps all you can see is what's wrong, what hurts, and what others are doing to you. But look above your circumstances, beyond your fears, and ask God to show you what He's doing in the midst of them.
GRATITUDE IN ACTION
Look back through your list of blessings and benefits, adding any new ones that come to mind. Focus on the ones that give you the most comfort in crisis.
No comments:
Post a Comment