LIVE A LIFE OF THANKSGIVING

“The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day:.. Therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.” (Isaiah 38:19, 20 KJV)

In our text today, the ancient Prophet Isaiah looked at himself and stated the obvious: the dead cannot praise God. Only the living can praise God. Why then will you hoard your praise? Why won’t you give Him the very best that He deserves? The fact that He has given you breath means you can praise Him. 

David says “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6). He went on to say: “Think of it! The Lord healed me”. Let me ask you: Has the Lord ever healed you? Some people died of headache and fever, but you have had several headaches and you are still around. Some people sneezed and collapsed and died, but you have sneezed several times, yet you are still around. You may think you have seen the worst, wait until you hear the challenge of the other person, and then you will realize that you have reasons to praise God.

Beloved, make a quality decision like the ancient Prophet to live a life of thanksgiving to God. Sing songs of praise in the morning, noon and night. Tell of His wondrous works. Has God ever paid your bill? Thank Him for it. Has He ever healed you? Dance before Him. Have you ever experienced His mighty deliverance? Extol His name. If you can think, beloved, you can thank.  

A story was told of a boy who was crying for not having shoes, until he saw his mate without legs singing and worshipping God. No matter the challenge you may be facing today, it is not enough to stop your song. Even in the night season, there is a song to sing. Praise gives the devil a ‘black eye.’ Praise refocuses you to the goodness of God. Praise takes you from where you are to where you want to be.

Further Reading: Isaiah 38:18-20; Psalm 150:1-6

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Numbers 35-36; Evening- Mark 10:1-31