“I will exalt You, O LORD, for You lifted me out of the depthsâ€
(Psalm 30:1).
From “Daily Living for Seniorsâ€:
A young father sat cradling his infant born just three weeks before as a tornado ripped through Will County, Illinois. When the fierce winds had died down and peace was restored, the man’s house was gone–and so was his baby. According to the news reports, however, the father discovered his child in a field near his house. Surprisingly, the baby was alive and well–and so was his family.
One reporter stopped by to cover the scene. She asked the young father if he was angry that he had lost everything he owned. The man replied, “No, I just thank God I have my baby and my family. Some people don’t even have that. Nothing else is important.”
Many times, it takes a tragedy to happen to remind us of what really matters in life. When things are going well for us, we can easily shift our focus to what we own. We can become obsessed and preoccupied with so many nonessential, unimportant material items–cars, houses, furniture, clothes, accessories, media equipment, and other trivialities. But when life is reduced to the essentials, our focus is brought back to the most important things and we realize that life itself is enough reason to praise God.
Indeed it is! And having a relationship with Jesus Christ is essential to having present and eternal joy!
“Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name†(Psalm 30:4).
In adversity we tend to doubt our heavenly Father’s kind care, but in our success we often ignore it. May we see His loving support in the good, not so good, and even devastating times. It is the light of His presence that removes the sting from adversity. And thankfulness is the key.
That’s why it is important to obey God’s Word and “always give thanks for all things†(Ephesians 5:20). We do this regardless of how we feel, and He gives joy and peace in the midst of our most trying circumstances (Philippians 4:6-7). As an act of obedience, thankfulness opens our heart to His presence and our mind to His thoughts.
God knows just what it takes to produce enduring qualities in each of His children. When there seems to be no way, He will make a way. He often uses obstacles and setbacks to move us forward. Every time we thank Him, we acknowledge that He is Lord and Provider.
We magnify our Father God
With songs of thoughtful praise;
As grateful children we confess
How perfect are His ways. –Ball