THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
13th Dec 2023
Today I was reading Psalm 145 in my daily Bible reading. All the verses encourage us to bless God.
Verse 2, Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Verse 3, God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. (The Message)
Verse 6, Your marvellous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. (The Message)
Verse 21, My mouth is filled with God’s praise. Let everything living bless him, bless his holy name from now to eternity! (The Message)
As I read this psalm I was greatly challenged, realising I don’t praise God enough. Verse 2 in the Message reads, “I’ll bless you every day and keep it up from now to eternity!”
Last week we attended a funeral where the son of the deceased paid tribute, telling us that his relationship with his father had not been an easy one, but as he had grown older, he understood his father’s motivation and had on his last day gone to visit his father, but was unable to communicate the things he wanted to say. In consequence he decided to say them as a eulogy. It was moving to hear his heart felt thanksgiving expressed, as he painted picture of a man who he was beginning to understand and see the ‘why’ behind the actions was really love.
At times God has instructed me to use thanksgiving and praise to combat fear; other times to remind me of His loving care when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It shifts the focus off you and your inadequacy onto, verse 19 in The message, “He does what’s best for those who fear him - hears them call out and saves them.”
It causes you to stand firm and remember you are not alone. God our loving Father is for us, wants to help us by the power of His Holy Spirit and keep us in place of peace, despite the circumstances and busyness of life.
Put praise and blessing on your lips.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
