Glorify The LordSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Are you bewailing all the time that you lack one thing or another in life? Do you know that God does not like this attitude of yours? Learn to thank God for every small thing that He has done in your life. Thank Him in all circumstances. A life of giving praise and thanks is a blessed one. The Holy God inhabits the praises (Psalm 22:3). God declares, "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me" (Psalm 50:23).
We receive so many blessings every day in our life. Have we ever looked back at the good things God has done to us? There is a melodious hymn with the chorus:
"Count Your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done, Count your blessings name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
Friend, have we ever thought of the great good things God has performed in our life? When you do recall God's blessings have you ever glorified Him? Why do many people feel discontented and unhappy? There are people, who even though God might have done many wonders for them, they will be bewailing all the time complaining that they lack one thing or another. This is the consequence of God's absence in their homes. So let us learn to thank God for every small gift. Then you will realise the inexplicable joy flooding through you. When problems encounter your family, if you praise the Lord, saying, 'O Lord, thank You' and you will feel the presence of God immediately. Problems will disappear in the same manner they appeared. God will root out and change the burden in your mind.
Several years ago, I had been to a town, along with my husband for his ministry. Generally, he is in the habit of praying until the last minute of taking off for the meeting. I would be making other arrangements. So one day as I was carrying hot water ready for him, I slipped and fell down. My hand was severely hit giving me an unbearable pain. I could not raise myself up immediately and I did not want to call him and disturb his prayer. But as pain lingered, I slowly called out to him. When he saw that I was writhing in pain, he immediately, lifted me and made me rest on bed. The mental pain I felt was more severe than the physical pain. This has happened to me who had come to help him and his ministry. Why did this happen? Am I not casting pain and burden on the ministry?'-These thoughts frustrated me. At that time, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "Daughter, thank God even at this time of agony'. In obedience, I started saying, "Thank you, my Lord." As I went on thanking and praising the Lord, that horrible pain gradually left me and vanished completely very soon; I was able to sit up. God gave me grace to go along with my husband to participate in the Evening Prayer Meeting and to give my prayer support.
My dear friend, if you can thank the Lord in all circumstances, even amidst distress or tribulation, if you can live the life of thanks and praise, God's presence will be with you and in your homes. Commit yourself to follow these exalted ideals. Then God will help you to build up your home, your family and your individual life. You will sparkle as vessels of blessings. May your Lord Himself grant you this special privilege in this New Year and transform your families into blessed families.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You are mighty and the glorious Lord. Help me to praise and thank You not only during happy and blessed times but also during hard and suffering times. Grant me Your abundant grace to remember all the blessing that You have showered on me and lift the sacrifice of praise and thanks to You always. Teach me to be a wise child in all that I do. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |