DEEP THOUGHTS, DEEP THANKS: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 19TH JUNE 2018

MEMORISE:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2

READ: Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

MESSAGE

There is a wise saying in my native language which says, "If you don't know how to think of God's goodness, you are not likely to know how to give Him thanks." Thinking about God's goodness is one great attitude we need to learn from today's Bible reading.

In this passage of Scripture, David preached to himself on the need to praise, worship, thank and reverence God. He also outlined some of the reasons why he needed to be thankful. I believe we should emulate David's attitude and borrow from his list of reasons to be thankful.

On his list of reasons to be thankful, David first considered the forgiveness of his sins. We so often take the blessing of forgiveness of sins for granted, but we need to remember that it is because of the Lord's graciousness and mercy that He chooses to forgive our sins. It is not difficult to simply say "Lord I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins." We also need to remember and be thankful that our Lord Jesus Christ is still engaged in intercessory prayers for us continually (Romans 8:34).

The next thing David mentioned on his list is the blessing of healing. The doctors often use a slogan that reads: "We care, God heals". Who then besides God should take the glory? David also mentioned deliverance from destruction. We all know that evil pervades the world we live in; it's only the mercy of God that keeps His children from harm.

Do you thank Him for this? What about His lovingkindness: a kindness that is not ordinary but ful of love? What about His tender mercies: mercy that is affectionate and adds no sorrow? Do you thank Him for the food you eat? He satisfies your mouth with good things so that you are energised to go about your daily tasks, and He renews your strength like that of the eagle. Do you thank Him for all these?

Beloved, be sincere with yourself today. Do you think you are grateful to this Great Father who has been sustaining you physically and spiritually? You have walked in the valley of the shadow of death several times and He has kept you.

You have been tempted severally but you escaped the net of the devil and his agents. Take a look around you and count your blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. It is expedient for you to spend quality time in God's presence today to worship Him like never before. However, let this not be a one-off event in your life; ensure you sustain a habit of thanksgiving from today.

ACTION POINT:
Withdraw to a private place and worship God like never before.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Kings 19-20, Acts 13:26-47

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 1: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

1. Now thank we all our God
    With heart and hands and voices,
    Who wondrous things hath done,
    In whom His world rejoices,
    Who from our mother's arms
    Hath bless'd us on our way
    With countless gifts of love
    And still is ours today.

2. Oh may this bounteous God
    Through all our life be near us,
    With ever joyful hearts
    And blessed peace to cheer us,
    And keep us in His grace,
    And guide us when perplex'd
    And free us from all ills
    In this world and the next

3. All praise and thanks to God
    The Father now be given,
    The Son, and Spirit blest,
    Who reign in highest heaven,
    The One eternal God,
    Whom earth and heav'n adore,
    For thus it was, is now,
    And shall be evermore.