It's funny how God shows us that, isn't it?!? I woke up Thursday morning tired and grouchy. The morning had come too early...it could be blamed on the 5 hours of sleep I had gotten that night. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to go anywhere or see anyone. I didn't want to do my devotions. I made myself get up and get ready, with time to kill. As much as I didn't want to pick my Bible up and start reading, I knew that I should. I opened my Bible and knew that I was doing my devotions half-heartly...but I kept reading. I first read Psalm 99 and nothing really jumped out at me. Before I even started reading Psalm 100, the title of the chapter caught my attention "A Psalm for Thanksgiving." I pondered that title for a few minutes...and kept reading. I couldn't even get past the second verse before I had to stop! "Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with a joyful singing." Come before Him with a joyful singing...I had come to God that morning not with a joyful song but a sad/mad/frustrated/confused/etc song. I wasn't looking at the GREAT things that God was/is going to do in this time...I was focusing on the negative stuff. But it's great getting those little reminders that we are part of God's family and He isn't going to leave us. We should find ways to bless His name even in the times where you don't know up from down. It may not be an easy task, but in the long run it's totally worth it! His lovingkindness is everlasting and so should our praises!
Psalm 100-A Psalm for Thanksgiving.
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.
