O Give Thanks!

"...To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3)

 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."(Psalm 34:1)

     What kind of spirit do you carry with you?  What is the atmosphere that surrounds you?  Are you wrapped in a "garment of praise" or a coat of complaining?   We really have absolutely nothing to complain about, ever!  Of course there are things that happen in this world and in our own lives that are hard to endure.  Terrible experiences come to us that sometimes seem to crush us.  But I repeat, we have nothing to complain about. 

     You see, we are sinners.  As such we are naturally evil and under the control of the devil, The Destroyer.  His one desire is to bring us sorrow, pain, and death.  "It is only of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  (Lamentations 3:22)    Our Heavenly Father has made it possible for us to escape the control of this Destroyer.  He has given to all of us the ability to understand and choose a better way, the way of life. 

     Choosing to follow God doesn't mean our life will be smooth and pleasant.  In fact in some ways it may seem to become harder.  But the fact that God is with us, going through what we go through can give us thankfulness and peace.  We can be thankful for God's presence in all that happens.  Especially are we to be thankful when we see our own wickedness, and more clearly understand the mercy and love of God that is offered to us. 

     Usually when we begin to understand the evil within us, we are tempted to despair.  But the Lord instructs us to be thankful that a way of escape has been provided.  We can become the beautiful people God wants us to be by the power, called grace, that He has provided.  This is why we can be thankful in all things.  This is why we read that the apostles of Jesus, when they were beaten and imprisoned, that  " they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41)

     Let us today follow the command of Nehemiah, as we recall the experience of the people in his day:  "all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  (Nehemiah 8:9-10) 

     Let God's joy fill your heart today and every day.  "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you".   (1 Thessalonians 5:18)