“Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
One of the most loved and frequently quoted verses in Scripture is Psalm 37:4. At first glance it can sound like a blank check: “Love God and you’ll get whatever you want.” But a closer look reveals something far deeper and more beautiful. The verse is not primarily about getting what we want; it is about God changing what we want until He Himself becomes the great desire of our hearts.
Psalm 37 is an acrostic wisdom psalm written by David in his old age (v. 25). Its main concern is the age-old question, “Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?” David’s answer is trust and delight in the Lord rather than envy or anger toward evildoers (vv. 1–8). In this setting, verse 4 is not a prosperity promise detached from reality; it is godly counsel for people who feel overlooked while others seem to “have it all.”
The Hebrew verb translated “delight,” is intensive and rare. It means to be delicate or pampered, to take exquisite pleasure in something. It is the same root used in Isaiah 66:11 for a nursing baby delighting in its mother’s milk, total satisfaction, soft enjoyment, unhurried pleasure.
So David is not commanding gritted-teeth duty (“Try really hard to like God”). He is inviting us into a relationship where God Himself becomes our highest pleasure, our richest feast, our greatest reward.
The Promise: “He Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart.” Grammatically, the second half of the verse can be read two ways, both of which are true and complementary:
1. Causative reading (most translations): When you delight in the Lord, He grants the desires that are now in your heart—desires that have been transformed by your delight in Him. The more we enjoy God, the more our desires align with what He loves to give.
2. Identical reading (favored by many Hebrew scholars): “He will give you the desires of your heart” means He will place new desires in your heart. In other words, the reward of delighting in God is that God Himself becomes the desire of our heart.
John Piper once summarized this second reading: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Psalm 37:4 is therefore the biblical basis for what has come to be called Christian Hedonism, the conviction that God is not honored by reluctant obedience but by hearts that have found their deepest joy in Him.
To “delight yourself in the Lord” isn’t a feeling we try to manufacture; it is a discipline we pursue by faith:
Meditate on who God is (His beauty, holiness, love, grace).
Remember what God has done, especially in the cross and resurrection.
Pray the prayers of Scripture that ask God to change our tastes (Ps 90:14; Ps 27:4; Ps 73:25–26). Tastebuds change, I used to hate onions…now I love them! Same thing happens in Christ. The longer you seek Him, the more you desire Him. The world loses its sway.
Fight the fight of faith to see and savor Jesus above all competing pleasures.
When we do, something happens: the things we once thought we couldn’t live without begin to lose their grip, and we discover that the Giver is infinitely more satisfying than any of His gifts.
Psalm 37:4 is not a promise that God will fund every whim of a heart still curved in on itself. It is a promise that if we will seek our pleasure in God, He will make sure we are never disappointed. He will either satisfy our (new, God-shaped) desires, or, better yet, He will satisfy us with Himself.
“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
In A.D. 165, during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Roman authorities dragged a Christian woman named Felicitas into a stone prison beneath the streets of Rome. The cell was so dark that the prisoners kept there couldn’t see their own hands. Food was scarce, disease wasn’t, and dampness never dried. Yet accounts record something strange— Felicitas spent her final days singing songs of thanksgiving. The guards outside stood there surprised as they listened through the iron bars. Thankfulness—in a place built to erase hope. That kind of gratitude seems nearly impossible today, but it sounds a lot like a verse from the Psalms that rarely makes its way to the microphone.
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” — Psalm 116:17
Most might breeze past the line, but the phrase “sacrifice of thanksgiving” reveals something profound. The psalmist isn’t talking about gratitude when life is full, comfortable, and convenient. He’s talking about gratitude that costs something—gratitude that must be fought for. It’s the kind Felicitas offered in that Roman cell.
A “sacrifice of thanksgiving” is what happens when gratitude is chosen, not felt. It can be seen in something small like that “thank you” we give Him without seeing the outcome. When we praise God before we understand the plan. When we hold onto God not because everything is good, but because everything is hard.
In a sentence, it’s the kind of thankfulness that’s forged— not found.
“How can we genuinely live out the principles of Christ’s kingdom now?”
This truth does not suggest believers withdraw from the world or avoid pursuing righteousness. Throughout history, those motivated by sacred teachings have passionately sought justice, advocated for the vulnerable, and worked to elevate their communities. However, our engagement arises from a strong faith in the divine order, not from anxiety about social changes or the failures of institutions.
Brent Pollard
“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”— Psalm 11.3
This verse resonates with us during crises. When faced with cultural upheaval, political turmoil, or moral decline, many Christians turn to Psalm 11.3. Sometimes, they do so out of despair over society’s deterioration, while at other times, they do so as a rallying cry for their preferred solutions. The verse becomes a flexible instrument for urgency, affirming concerns or motivating action on various issues.
However, we frequently overlook a crucial aspect: David isn’t the one asking this question.
The Context Makes All the Difference
Psalm 11 opens with David’s bold declaration of faith: “In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain…’” (v. 1). David stands resolute, confronting those who would counsel retreat amid peril.
The composition of the psalm unfolds a conversation between two viewpoints:
The Voice of Fear (vv. 1b-3): David’s advisors see the wicked preparing their bows (v. 2) and come to a grim realization: when moral foundations crumble, the righteous become vulnerable. Their response? To flee and seek safety.
The Voice of Faith (vv. 4-7): David does not react with fear but with deep theological insight into God’s unwavering sovereignty.
A biblical commentator, Derek Kidner, points out that the entire middle section, including verse 3, represents “the voice of defeatism,” which David firmly rejects. “What can the righteous do?” isn’t a lament from David; instead, it captures the worried thoughts of those who have forgotten the basis of their genuine security.
David’s Counter-Argument: God Still Reigns
David’s reply cuts through the fog of anxiety with deep theological insight:
“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” (v. 4).
Although many see only the world’s chaos, David perceives the divine harmony that supports all creation. In his Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon articulates this thought with remarkable clarity: “When we cannot see our way, we can see our God. When we cannot trace his path, we can trust his heart.” David places his trust not in the transient nature of human institutions but in the enduring foundation of divine sovereignty. God’s throne stands firm, unaffected by the upheavals of earthly power, and His justice persists, steady even when human systems fail.
Spurgeon remarks that David “answers the craven counselors” not by arguing but through a deep comprehension of God—focusing not on the immediate dangers posed by wicked men with their bows ready. Instead, David looks beyond what is visible into the invisible throne room of heaven, where God watches, evaluates, and will eventually pass judgment on all issues.
The psalm ends with a promise: “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.” (v. 7). This is not simply hopeful thinking; it is the foundation of theology.
The Danger of Misapplication
In today’s world, Psalm 11.3 often serves as a rallying cry for various causes—whether political efforts, social movements, or institutional reforms. Some people exploit this verse to create a sense of urgency around specific agendas, implying that failing to support a particular cause amounts to a total abandonment of righteousness.
The warped perspective appears in several forms: Some cite “crumbling foundations” to justify political involvement, while others promote questionable social theories. Some reinforce institutional biases or traditional practices not backed by Scripture. Scripture fosters discord rather than a call to unwavering biblical loyalty in all these cases.
The early church repeatedly faced this temptation. They were under the weight of Roman oppression, witnessing the surrounding moral decline and suffering persecution. However, the apostles’ writings consistently guided believers beyond simple human solutions to the profound spiritual truths that lie ahead. While imprisoned by a corrupt regime, Paul wrote some of his most optimistic passages, strongly affirming that external circumstances cannot determine the ultimate safety of God’s people.
Berean biblical scholarship teaches us that, although earthly institutions fulfill God’s objectives (Romans 13.1-7), the church’s primary mission surpasses any specific human system or movement. Our true citizenship lies in heaven (Philippians 3.20), and our ultimate hope is anchored not in any earthly cause, no matter how noble, but in Christ alone.
What Can the Righteous Do?
When the very foundations tremble, the Word of God offers unwavering guidance:
Pray Without Anxiety:“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4.6). During times of uncertainty, we should avoid panic and instead pursue the unfathomable peace of God through sincere prayer.
Seek God’s Kingdom First:“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6.33). We prioritize advancing the divine purpose over merely endorsing political ideologies.
Stand Firm in Faith:“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6.13). We do not retreat; instead, we remain steadfast, strengthened by our inner determination.
Live as Salt and Light (Matthew 5.13-17): We engage with society, aiming to effect change through the gospel instead of withdrawing from its challenges. By embodying integrity, serving others, and speaking truth with courage, we influence the world around us.
The Church’s Distinctive Response
The church offers a distinct promise that goes beyond any earthly pursuit: a message of eternal hope rooted in Christ’s victory. When society’s foundations appear to be trembling, our primary question should not be, “How can we advance our ambitions?” but instead, “How can we genuinely live out the principles of Christ’s kingdom now?”
This truth does not suggest believers withdraw from the world or avoid pursuing righteousness. Throughout history, those motivated by sacred teachings have passionately sought justice, advocated for the vulnerable, and worked to elevate their communities. However, our engagement arises from a strong faith in the divine order, not from anxiety about social changes or the failures of institutions.
J.W. McGarvey powerfully asserted that the true strength of the church is not found in human systems or movements but rather in the profound work of spiritual transformation. As we proclaim the gospel, we delve into the depths of the human heart, confronting the fundamental issues that no worldly remedy can address.
Conclusion: Standing on the True Foundation
In Psalm 11.3, the inquiry does not stem from David but reflects the anxious assumption he rejects. The righteous do despairingly ask, “What can we do?” Instead, we declare with David, “The Lord is in His holy temple.”
Charles Spurgeon reminds us that “the believer’s safety lies not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the Lord.” We stand firm when the ground shakes beneath us, for our foundation is immune to chaos. We do not retreat in fear to the mountains; instead, we draw near to the Lord with steadfast faith. We do not turn away from the world; instead, we face it with the confidence that comes from knowing Who truly reigns.
The fundamental elements that uphold human society are fragile and can be easily disturbed. In contrast, the foundation of God’s kingdom remains eternally firm and steadfast. This reality shapes how we respond when the world trembles around us.
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3.11).
When we look at this psalm, attributed to David, we see a mixture of needs and desires. He acknowledges his dependency, but he also affirms his devotion. When we’ve been recipients of such generosity, how can we keep from praising and serving Him?
Neal Pollard
Psalm 61 is a song with musical instructions, according to its title. I can think of at least two songs whose lyrics seem drawn from thoughts and phrases in this brief psalm. There’s a Gaither song, “Lead Me To The Rock That Is Higher Than I,” and brother Tillit S. Teddlie’s, “Hear Me When I Call” (1962). Thoughts in both songs seem related to the first three verses here.
When we look at this psalm, attributed to David, we see a mixture of needs and desires. He acknowledges his dependency, but he also affirms his devotion. It is interesting to note David’s reference to God’s hearing: “Hear my cry” (1), “Give heed” (1), “I call” (2), “You have heard” (5), and “I will sing praise to Your name” (8). This is a beautiful image of God caring and listening as we speak to Him. How often do you visualize the personal nature of that?
As we break down this psalm, we can see at least three actions from the writer. These should mirror our response to God for all He is and has done for us.
AN APPEAL (1-2,4,7b)
David pleads with God to hear his cry and prayer. He feels isolated and detached, low and faint. He longs for safety and refuge. He wants God’s lovingkindness and truth to preserve him. In short, he acknowledges his needs and God’s ability to supply them. We are in a dangerous place, spiritually, when we fail to see our need of God. It will keep us from appealing to Him and relying on Him. We are never independent, whether we know it or not!
AN APPRECIATION (3,5-7a)
He credits God, acknowledging His generosity. He appreciates God’s refuge, inheritance, preservation, and fellowship. Kathy often says, “Gratitude is the key to contentment.” How true! It can also play a vital role in our faithfulness. When we understand that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17), it can revolutionize our relationship with God.
AN ASPIRATION (8)
Responding to God’s gifts is so important to Him. What shows gratitude to God better than a transformed life. David wants to worship (8) and pay vows (5,8). The writer makes the point that it’s worse to be separated from God’s house than to be far from home. Having been given so much, he wants to reciprocate. As Jesus says later, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:48).
Make no mistake about it! God is to be worshipped because He is God, not for the blessings and gifts He gives. But, when we’ve been recipients of such generosity, how can we keep from praising and serving Him?
Additional notes:
–Some believe this psalm to be written by a king, others by a priest, or by an exile. The longing to reconnect is reflected by any of these.
–Compare this psalm to Psalm 21. Look for similarities.
–There are some compelling reasons to reinforce the idea that this is a psalm of David, like “the tent” (4), an expression that would make little sense after the temple is built, and the discussion of the inheritance in verses 5-7 that sounds a lot like 2 Samuel 7.
Have you ever made a list of why God is worthy to be praised? David did, in Psalm 111. Take a moment and explore his inspired, itemized list…
Neal Pollard
WORTHY OF PRAISE (PSALM 111)
Neal Pollard
One of those names that remind me of my childhood love of singing is Tillit S. Teddlie, a prolific songwriter and member of the church of Christ who lived to be 102. His songs have a trademark sound, and we have sung so many of them: “Heaven Holds All To Me,” “When We Meet In Sweet Communion,” “Oft We Come Together,” “Singing Redemption’s Song,” “Hear Me When I Call,” “Don’t Wait Too Long,” and “Into Our Hands.” He wrote about soul-winning and personal devotion, but he also devoted a lot of his hymns to worship. I love his song, “Worthy Art Thou.”
It is said that Teddlie wrote this hymn in 1930, sitting on his front porch on a Sunday morning. He was studying a commentary, Johnson’s Notes, looking for something to put into his sermon. His Bible was open to Revelation, where the elders are before the throne and singing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:11)(biographical info via hymnstudies.blog). Teddlie could as easily have been studying Psalm 111. While the phrase, “worthy of praise,” is not found in the psalm, the psalmist calls for praise and then sets out to show why.
HIS WORKS ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE
The psalm’s writer mentions God’s “work” and “works” four times in this brief psalm. They are “great” and “studied” by those who delight in Him (2). They are splendid and majestic (3). They are “powerful” (6). “The works of His hands are truth and justice” (7). The God who created everything did not step back and cease His activity among men after the creation. The God who calls for our works of obedience sets the example by continuing to work in the affairs of mankind. Whether His natural laws set in motion at the creation, His providential care, His answer to prayer, or His redemption, He is at work! For this, He deserves our praise.
HIS WONDERS ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE
“He has made His wonders to be remembered” (4). These are unusual things beyond human capabilities. It means “to be wonderful” or “to cause a wonderful thing to happen” (TWOT 723). While the psalmist doesn’t mention specifically what these wonders are or give examples, any of the attributes and actions would qualify. The psalmist mentions who He is and what He has done. If we think deeply about those, we are left to dwell on how incredible and awesome our God is!
HIS WORD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
The psalmist does not confine his praise to God’s nature and activity. There are His precepts (7), His commandments (10), and His covenant (5,9). God’s greatness is found in what He has revealed to us and what that revelation does for us in this life and for the life to come. My maker has seen to it we have the owner’s manual, to help us know how to best live. I am blessed by His truth (7,8).
HIS WISDOM IS WORTHY OF PRAISE
While I must obtain wisdom myself, it is truly a “wisdom from above” (Jas. 3:17). I get wisdom through the fear of the Lord (10). This good understanding, brought about by His Word (see above), helps me avoid the folly of the unbeliever and the heartache of the rebellious.
When I assemble with the saints to worship, I need to have a proper frame of mind. That occurs by intentional preparation beforehand. It helps me to meditate on who God is and what I am about to do in worship. This can help me focus and bring a better offering. There is no shortage of matters to consider. This psalm shows me just a few of the reasons why the object of my worship is praiseworthy!
New Testament writers quote frequently from the Old Testament. Especially Paul was even fond of quoting secular poets. It is interesting to see Jesus, The Word, quoting His Word.
Dale Pollard
I don’t remember creating a collection of “good quotes” but that was the header of a file on my computer I didn’t recognize. I opened it up to find exactly three quotes; all of which were made by my dad. I wasn’t surprised that they lived up to the rather boring but factual file name.
Dad on the discipline he received growing up:
“Mom used nothing bigger than a flip flop, dad used a rod of correction that was floppy.”
On the key ingredient to sacrifice:
“When we love God more than anything else, what will we not give Him?”
On the first reference of love in the Bible (Gen. 22.2):
“The first time love is mentioned in the Bible it’s not a love of country, it’s not the love of a spouse, but it’s of a father’s love— towards his son.”
Perfect Quotes
Jesus quotes from the Book of Psalms more than any other part of the Old Testament. It’s interesting to think that Jesus wasn’t really quoting, He was just repeating Himself. A quote is defined as (and I quote), “..a group of words from a text or speech with an indication that one is not the original author or speaker.”
Everything Jesus says is worth quoting but anything Jesus says twice deserves our special attention.
What do you love most about worship? David gives us so much to consider as we come before the Great I Am.
Neal Pollard
Psalm 95 is one of seven “enthronement” psalms, meaning it “celebrates the sovereignty of Yahweh over the whole earth” (Bratcher and Rayburn, np). In other words, God is King of kings. It is written by King David, a fact not deduced from the psalm itself bearing his “signature” but instead from the Holy Spirit telling us so in Hebrews 4:7.
This is a psalm you may recognize, especially the second half of the psalm. David shifts from the privilege of the present to the prospect of repeating the peril of the past. The Bible so often charts a course for our future by pointing to the mistakes of history. Is there a more oft-repeated example of how not to live than the generation which wandered in the wilderness?
When you break down the contents of the psalm, it appears to have three major themes:
THE WORSHIP (1-2,6)
There are acts of worship–singing and shouting (1), worshipping, bowing down and kneeling (6)
There is a call to worship–David says “let us” six times (1-2,6). We should encourage one another day after day (Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25) to engage in worship. How often do we do that? Not harassment or a guilt-trip, but a loving appeal to those who seem to be slipping in their faith to the point that they’ve stopped coming to the assemblies. God’s people need to come together to worship, and if some are struggling in this God wants us reaching out to them.
There is an Object to worship–worship is intentional, meaning that we must direct it with our hearts, minds, and bodies. Worship is “to the Lord” (1), the rock of our salvation (1), a great God and king (3), the Lord our Maker (6), and our God (7).
THE WONDER (3-5,7a)
Before worship this Sunday, spend a few moments contemplating just Who it is that you are approaching in your worship–His nature, character, attributes, and blessings. David does that within his exhortation and call to worship.
He is above all (3). He is in control of it all (4). He made it all (5-6). He leads us all (7a). With enthusiasm, we should exclaim, “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns in heaven above with wisdom, power, and love, our God is an awesome God!”
THE WARNING (7b-11)
There are three major warnings here:
There is a warning against delay (7–“Today”). When we are falling away, we may tell ourselves, “I’m not gone for good. I’ll get right…later.” We must remember that, “Tomorrow never comes” (2 Cor. 6:2).
There is a warning against desensitization (8–“Do not harden your hearts”). None of us is beyond this happening. Keeping our hearts soft to God’s will and word is essential to staying faithful to Him. Sin hardens our hearts, and that is deadly!
There is a warning against dimness (10). The root of Israel’s rejection was that they erred in the hearts and did not know His ways. Find someone who has wandered away in life, and you will find that they wandered away from His Word.
Should we worship God from hearts of delight or hands of duty? Yes! Worship should be an utter joy, but let us keep in mind that it is done on His terms and in His way. It is an obligation, one which blesses us and fills our heart with delight. It is a “corporate” activity (Let US). It is a safeguard against falling away. Sunday’s coming! “Oh come, let us bow down!”
Have you ever found yourself in over your head, when you had to ask for help? We never like to get to that point, financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. But, unless we callous our hearts to the truth, we need God constantly–especially spiritually. In Psalm 38, David comes before the Lord pleading with Him to help in a dire situation. While it involves the opposition of earthly enemies (12,19), the main concern is his own opposition to God’s will. The main problem on David’s mind is his sin problem. David gives us an example of how to pray to God in time of trouble, especially the self-induced kind.
ACKNOWLEDGE HOW YOUR SIN MAKES HIM FEEL (1-3)
David knows that God hates sin and is displeased by its presence in our lives. Meaningful repentance and change is not possible until we can see our sin through His perfect eyes. This honest assessment will keep us from being defensive or from rationalizing.
SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF YOUR SIN (4-8)
Look at all the descriptive terms and synonyms David uses regarding his sin. His “iniquities” are heavy burdens, foul and festering wounds, that which causes him to be bent over and bowed down, the cause of constant mourning, a debilitating sickness, and a numbing, crushing, agitating thing. See your sin that way and there is no way to hang onto it, much less embrace and defend it.
CONFESS YOUR INABILITY TO RESOLVE THIS ALONE (9-14)
Pride is such a destructive thing! David shows no sign of it in this psalm. He feels isolated from friends and tormented by foes. He feels incapable of solving this problem himself. Resolution must be preceded by recognition of how daunting our circumstance is without God.
TELL GOD OF YOUR HOPE THAT HE WILL HELP YOU (15-22)
The state of mind David has expressed inevitably leads to divine dependency. He hopes in God. He’s confident that God will answer him. Though he knows he’s close to falling, he pleads with God to intercede. His final plea as he speaks to God? “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.”
We must resist the devil and our own fleshly desires. God has equipped us with the ability to be disciplined and to deny self. But, the battle cannot be won without leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Don’t just know that. Express it to God daily, throughout the day. It will help you see your problems more clearly and to see God as the solution.
In the ancient past, being called a fool held a lot of negative weight and it wasn’t something that was taken lightly. Today we may jokingly use the term, but not back then. It was both an insult and the description of someone you certainly didn’t want to identify with. So what would qualify someone as a real fool? Biblically, this is the one who lacks spiritual wisdom and tends to have an embarrassing lack of common sense.
There’s a healthy emphasis placed on the fool throughout the Psalms and Proverbs and as you’d expect his time in the spotlight is far from flattering. He’s often used as a sharp contrast to a wise and intelligent person. Some of these passages concerning the fool may sting in a personal kind of way as they reflect our own occasional actions or inclinations.
Perhaps the most impactful bit of wisdom taught to us by the fool is that our words don’t always reflect our beliefs, but our repetitive actions do. Psalm 14 begins by stating, “the fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God.’” Not all fools are atheists, but all atheists are fools even though the bulk of society doesn’t seem to agree. Today, atheistic minds that fill the roles of teachers, scientists, and authors are held in high regard. To some they are declared the brains of society or dubbed the pioneers of the future.
Evolutionary doctrine may dominate classrooms and laboratories, but God calls them foolish. He doesn’t see them as “progressive” or “admirable” and that’s because they’ve missed something (or Someone) obviously crucial. To deny the existence of a God you’re surrounded by, alive because of, and will ultimately be judged by— is to lack sense.
You might notice over your heading of Psalm 107 that it begins “Book Five.” You also do not see David’s name over this psalm. There may be clues pointing to this being one of the later psalms, even after Babylonian Captivity (1-3). Many believe this was a song sung by Jewish pilgrims who sang it on their way to Jerusalem for one of the major feast days. It is full of parallelism, where the writer says the same thing two similar ways (nearly every verse contains this, except 3,12,26,34,37, and 40).
But as we pay attention to its structure, it looks like it contains four main “strophes” (poetic stanzas). Each strophe ends with the same chorus or refrain: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men” (8,15,21,31). It covers the full range of human distress and problems and God’s gracious response. We struggle, God delivers, and for that we should always be thankful! Truly, God is so good!
GOD IS GOOD WHEN WE WANDER (4-9)
Historically, we would think of the wilderness wandering or even being scattered by captivity. But this seems bigger than just one occasion. Whether we wander by sin, wander because of struggles and distresses, God is still so good to be our beacon and compass. He will help us find our way home, which should fill our hearts with gratitude. He can lead us back from any and every direction we have gone.
GOD IS GOOD WHEN WE ARE OPPRESSED (10-16)
Sometimes our struggle is not of our own making and choosing. Sometimes, though, it is the result of our rebellion. Either way, when we face darkness and death, chains and misery, He brings us out and breaks us free. No one has to stay in spiritual prison. God offers freedom. That should draw our gratitude, He’s so good!
GOD IS GOOD WHEN WE ARE HURTING (17-22)
He writes of afflictions and distresses, again some of which are self-inflicted and others which are brought upon us. It doesn’t matter which way it happens, God can heal our wounds. His word is medicine and He is the Great Physician. There is salvation and deliverance.
GOD IS GOOD WHEN WE ARE IN DANGER (23-32)
Perhaps one of the most graphic illustrations of danger is of being storm-tossed at sea. Stormy winds and waves threaten to capsize us and expose us to the deep. We may at times feel like we’re hanging on by a thread, in desperation.
This psalm makes me think of the hymn, “Does Jesus Care?” The writer brings up four different scenarios where we hurt or struggle, and we are reminded of how much He cares! There’s a good chance you are struggling right now or you have just been through struggle or are about to go through it. Please remember the goodness of God and His ability to help you through it. But He hushes the winds and stills the storms. God is so good!
The writer closes by speaking of all the ways God turns chaos into calm (33-43). He may not have mentioned your specific trial in this psalm, but he covered it. Remember, no matter what you face, He will bless you and help you through it all! No doubt, it will make you sing, “God is so good!”
God’s people are going to be lifting up many prayers for the USA this year. In order for those prayers to be as potent as possible, here’s four biblical principles that will give them more power.
Evaluate your spiritual life. The prayers of righteous men and women make the most impact (James 5:16).
God can’t be seen as just one option. Think of the rascally child who, after receiving a “no” from his father, approaches his mother in secret seeking a “yes.” That child should receive a stern chat— perhaps a spanking? When we approach God, we must do so with His will above our wants. Sometimes the two line up! If they don’t, accept the answer and press on.
Saturate your petitions with praise and thankfulness. Even when odd viruses seem to mysteriously appear or the “wrong” man takes the office— God deserves your praise with a thankful heart. After all, He reigns with perfection and justice on His throne (Psalm 97:1). God has given us the cure to a horrible sickness that not even all the scientists in the world could cure (Ephesians 2:8). Nothing that happens today or any day will ever change those things. We’ve only just scratched the surface here, too. God deserves every bit of your praise and thankfulness, no matter what.
Don’t miss the big picture when you pray. Our minds have a way of fooling us into thinking that current events are the big picture. That’s just not true. What’s more important? The growth and faith of every member in His church. For an encouraging study, look at all the congregations in biblical history that were built up numerically and spiritually— despite who was leading the country at the time. What’s most important is not this country or nation, it’s His kingdom and that kingdom to come.
Are you righteous? Please pray for this world and pray for His church. If there’s something keeping you from the righteousness of God, that’s far more urgent than anything else and that’s what deserves your full attention.
Let’s be a happy and hopeful people— let’s be those who practice righteousness.
David penned roughly half of the psalms. His name appears above 73 of the psalms and the New Testament attributes him as the author of two more (Psalm 2 and 95). He may also have been the author of several more of the 50 anonymous or unattributed psalms. But we also find poetic work from David outside the psalms. There is 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, given by David to the sons of Asaph as a song of thanksgiving and worship (some of which appears also in Psalm 105:1-15). Then, there is 2 Samuel 22:1-51, which reflects much of the content of Psalm 18:2-50.
The occasion of this psalm is explicitly stated. It is a song to the Lord, acknowledging His delivering David from Saul and his other enemies. David was a man of war, and he was challenged and disrespected by so many over time during his 40 year reign. We might call him embattled, continually weighed down by difficulties with others. While he had some extreme spiritual low points and multiple lapses in judgment, his overall character was of a man who trusted in God to deliver him and who tried to faithfully follow Him.
In 2 Samuel 22, David centers his thoughts on who God is. Notice what about God he focuses on.
GOD IS OUR RESCUER (1-20,44-49).
GOD IS OUR REWARDER (21-22,24-27).
GOD IS OUR RULER (23).
GOD IS OUR REDEEMER (28).
GOD IS OUR ROCK (32,47).
GOD IS OUR REFUGE (29-31,33-34).
GOD IS OUR REINFORCER (35-43).
GOD IS OUR REASON (50-51).
Read through this beautiful psalm and see the gratitude and praise David pours out toward God. He had been in many valleys and through some uncertain and frightening times, but he refused to blame God and was unwilling to believe he had been abandoned by God. Perhaps we have no better example of how to respond to personal adversity and unfair treatment than David. Instead of turning bitter and losing faith, David doubled down on what he knew about God! He put his trust in Him and counted on Him to carry him through. He was confident in God’s ability to prove Himself the victor against any and every foe. Whatever you are going through right now, please focus on who God is–your rescuer (2 Tim. 4:18), your rewarder (Heb. 11:6), your ruler (Rev. 1:5), your redeemer (Ti. 2:14), your rock (1 Cor. 10:4), your refuge (Heb. 6:18), your reinforcer (Eph. 6:10), and your reason (John 20:30-31)!
I’m not much of a runner. And when I say not much I mean I’m not a runner at all, period. Reason being my endurance is awful. I once tried to go on a run to the kitchen and had to drop out at the living room. But very much unlike me, Serge Girard, a French ultra runner, has run 14,031 miles in just under a year! To break that down, that’s 1,169 miles run in a month or 39 miles a day! This ultra runner has incredible endurance, and we could even say it’s almost superhuman. Serge Girard has amazing endurance, but it is nothing at all compared to the endurance of God.
Psalm 111 is a beautiful description of how God “endures forever.” A quick glimpse at this psalm and we learn that the Lord endures for all eternity. He endures through His righteousness (vs. 3). The Psalmist begins by setting the stage by using the Hebrew word for “Hallelujah.” Then says “I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart.” When he says “with all my heart,” this seems to imply that he is coming to God with every intention of giving his all to the LORD.
The psalmist gave thanks with all his heart for a reason. Verse 2 says, “Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.” If we as Christians truly delight in the Lord then we should be studying the works of the Lord! When we study His works we learn about the great God we serve. Verse 3 shows us the Lord’s endurance. “Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness ENDURES forever.”
As One who is unerringly faithful to His covenant with Israel, God constantly executes justice on behalf of His people. In the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, His works declare His righteousness. This impeccable characteristic of His nature does not nor will it ever change. What a great comfort to know that God will always be there for us, even in our darkest times! We will only learn about our God if we take the time to study and grow in the knowledge of His Word. Knowing that the God who delivered Israel from slavery listens to us when we pray is truly life changing.
He is always there for us. Because the Lord endures forever!
The last week of Jesus’ life on earth was an eventful one. He arrived in Jerusalem to thronging crowds shouting, “Hosanna!” And, His enemies peppered Him with questions. They questioned His authority. They asked Him a Catch-22 question, which was admittedly impressive since it would be almost 2000 years before Catch-22 was written. They even asked Him a gotcha questioned designed to make the resurrection look ridiculous. But after He had answered all of their questions, He had one for them. Matthew’s account of this is in chapter 22, verses 41 and following:
“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?’
They said to Him, ‘The Son of David.’”
Now, at this point, especially in my younger years, I could see myself nodding along in agreement with the Pharisees. Yes, the Christ is the Son of David. That’s in prophecy, isn’t it? Wasn’t important enough that Matthew opened his gospel account with a genealogy of Jesus going back to David and Abraham? Didn’t Luke also trace Jesus’ genealogy through David back to Adam? But this is what Jesus said:
“He said to them, ‘How then does David in the Spirit call Him “Lord,” saying: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’”? If David then calls Him “Lord,” how is He his Son?’ And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.”
Jesus pointed out something very important, which the Pharisees were missing: the Messiah was more than David’s son, He was David’s Lord. The Pharisees missed it because they were expecting an earthly kingdom, with an earthly king like David who would put Israel back on top, overthrow the Romans, and rule in Jerusalem. But God had in mind something much better; instead of freeing them from the Romans, the Christ would free them from their sins—a much more powerful and implacable enemy. In another place, Jesus talked about God giving good gifts and said, “If your son asks for bread, would you give him a stone?” An important cultural note about the way they baked bread in Jesus’ time is that they used clay ovens and heated stones, and the stones in the area were very round and smooth, resembling loaves of bread. It wouldn’t be much of stretch of the imagination to think it wouldn’t be uncommon for a small Jewish boy to point in the oven and say, “Father, I want that one,” but be pointing at a stone. And what kind of father is going to give his child that? No, he’ll give him bread instead even if it isn’t what he wanted because it’s better than what he wanted.
That’s the way God operates; He always gives us what’s better than what we want. He did it back then. When they wanted to be free of Rome, free of their taxes, free of their rules, God offered them freedom from sin, which is of infinitely greater value. It is a shame, though, that when offered bread, sometimes people still want the stone.
The news can be depressing! Here’s ten verses of encouragement from the Psalms and Proverbs— hand picked by my wife and me.
Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
Proverbs 10:21 “The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”
Psalms 37:23-24 “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Psalm 40:11 “As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!”
Psalm 54:4 “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”
Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Psalm 62:6-7 “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
In Matthew 15:14, Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind both will end up falling in a pit.” Moses taught Joshua and Joshua knew what to do, but now Joshua would have to go without Moses. Joshua could still be a successful leader without Moses being with him, as long as he followed the way Moses set for him. I have three points to share with you today.
The first one is that God was with him. In Joshua 1, towards the end of verse 5, God said as he was with Moses he will always be with Joshua. Let’s say you just started a new job and have no idea what you’re doing. Your boss is never there and your coworkers don’t know what to do either. The job wouldn’t be a good job and you would be very unsuccessful. Joshua had to remember that God was with him because he had seen all the things that Moses had done when God was with Moses. Just as Moses had done, Joshua could do the same things with God by his side. In Matthew 28:20, just like with Joshua, God promises to be with us.
The second point is that Joshua had to be strong and courageous. According to Webster’s dictionary, courage means the quality of mind that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., with firmness and without fear. On your job during the week you go through pain but you know what’s coming at the end of it so you go through anything to get that paycheck. Going back to the first point, God was with Joshua. Joshua should have had no fear because God was with him. Joshua 1:6-7 says “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause these people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” What we need to do is be like Joshua and learn from our parents or even other people in the congregation so that we can not only learn to do what is commanded but what we need to teach others. Joshua was not the only one who needed to be strong and courageous, we all do. Tom staltman is the world’s strongest man. He’s pretty strong but no one can match the strength of Christian’s if we follow God’s word.
The last point is that Joshua had to read the word of God regularly and stick with it. The reason he had to read and memorize the word was so that he could faithfully lead God’s people in the right direction. Joshua 1:7-8 says, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
If we read the word of God and meditate on it and remember it, we will be very successful in all that we do. I would like to end this point by reading a couple of passages. Psalm 1:1-2 tells us, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.“ And the other passage is Matthew 4:4, where Jesus answered, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
In Joshua 1, I would say the theme is obedience to God and his law. It is mentioned in verse 8 of the chapter that if we make our way prosperous we will be successful in all that we do.
One of the many valuable lessons that I was taught at Bear Valley Bible Institute came from Corey Sawyers. He was our instructor for the book of Psalms. He was known to say “there’s a psalm for that” just about every day. But there really is a Psalm for just about every situation we encounter and emotion we feel. But a psalm’s true beauty is recognized when you say it in a prayer to God.
Many of David’s psalms were prayers to the God of Heaven, so why don’t we do the same? Corey showed us a way to feel the depth and emotion that these psalms contain, and I encourage every Christian to try this method the next time you read Psalms.
Take each sentence and put it in your own words. Then pray it to God. It’s pretty straight forward, but here are 3 examples:
Psalm 8:
God how perfect and holy is your name in all of the earth. You have shown your glory and power through your creation. Everyone can see your strength, Your power over every person. We can look around and see your works. We see creation and recognize that it was you that made it. Knowing all of this we are amazed that you would be mindful of us, but not only are you mindful, but you care for us. So much that you would send your son. Making him lower than the angels. All for us. Your son has power over everything and we understand that you put all things under his control. God how perfect and holy is your name in all of the earth.
Psalm 13:
Heavenly Father we come to you asking if you have hidden your face from your children? Do you forget us? We know it isn’t possible for us to comfort ourselves. At times we feel discouraged and think that Satan has won, that our enemies have taken control. And so because of this we ask you to answer our plea. Help us to focus on you in times of trial. Help our enemies to see that you have won. Through everything help us to trust in you, help us to recognize your love for us. Help us to find joy in our salvation. We praise you and thank you for blessing us beyond what we deserve.
Psalm 23
God we come before you thanking you for taking care of us. For giving us all our needs. You bless us with more than we could give to ourselves. You comfort and restore us. You give us the path to righteousness. Even when we go through trials we know you are still with us. You never desert us. No matter what happens you comfort us. You take care of us and bless us to the point that we overflow. Because of you we have goodness and mercy given to us our entire life. And we can stay in your presence forever. Thank you God for everything.
Something as simple as praying a psalm in your own words can add depth, meaning, and emotion to your prayer life. I encourage us all to imitate David when we approach the throne of God.
“Man did eat the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance” (Psalm 78.25 NASB1995).
The Bible is a book whose depths we cannot comprehend. As a result, we discover something new every time we read the Scriptures. Recently, as our devotional Bible reading turned to Psalm 78, I had one of those moments. In verse 25, Asaph refers to manna and says God gave the Israelites “bread of angels.” I couldn’t recall hearing that addressed by any preacher I’d heard, nor had I previously read any commentaries on the verse. So I put on my “scuba gear” and went for a dive.
We must establish the context first. The main goals of Psalm 78 are that Israel should not repeat their unruly past and properly instruct future generations about God’s Law. Asaph recalls God’s miracles in Israel’s history, but Israel still rebelled. Asaph mentions one of these wonders: God feeding the people with manna from heaven. And God did this, although the Israelites had repeatedly enraged Him. According to Asaph, they put God to the test in their hearts (78.18).
As a result, our “bread of angels” was a providential answer to a need. The people were hungry, and God satisfied their hunger and provided more than they required. However, Asaph recalls that the people believed God should cater to their food preferences (78.18). So, God punished them again because they complained after He sent the manna (78.31-33). Asaph’s point was that they were unappreciative of a lavish gift.
Following the context, we will move on to the Hebrew language. Lechem abbirim is Hebrew for “bread of the mighty ones.” The word “abbir” appears 47 times in the Old Testament, referring to everything from animals to strong or stubborn men. However, only twice in some of our English translations is this word rendered as angels (Psalm 78.25,cf. Psalm 103.20). Why is this the case? The Septuagint is most likely the answer because the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures uses the word “angels” here. We should also mention that the Latin Vulgate uses the phrase “panem angelorum” (bread of angels). And the translators of the King James Version were heavily influenced by the Latin Vulgate. But there could be more to it than that.
Another hint comes from a non-canonical book written by a Jew living in Alexandria during the first century BC who pretended to be Solomon. People refer to this as the Book of Wisdom. “In contrast, you fed your people with the food from angels,” Wisdom 16.20 says. Again and again, you provided your people with a bread that had been prepared in heaven. It was a bread that was able to satisfy anyone’s longing and please anyone’s taste.” (Common English Bible) Even though it lacks the weight of what God-breathed (cf. 2 Timothy 3.16), it still provides valuable commentary for understanding Jewish thought before Christ’s birth.
As a result, Asaph may have referred to angels—mighty ones—as ministering spirits (cf. Psalm 103.20-22; Hebrews 1.14). In other words, God prepared and sent the manna from heaven via the angels. If true, it would not be the first time the Bible mentions angels in passing. For example, Stephen stated that an angel was present in the burning bush (Acts 7.35). Otherwise, all we know about manna is that it came with the dew (Numbers 11.9). As a result, it descended from heaven.
Finally, most commentators agree that the bread of angels refers to food fit for angelic consumption or the king’s table (cf. Daniel 1.8). Manna, in other words, was a dish fit for heaven. Nonetheless, God gave it to men who did not value it. We might find a modern parallel in being given a free meal at a three-star Michelin restaurant but complaining that we would rather have eaten at McDonald’s. (With no offense to McDonald’s.)
Fortunately, this is not a matter of salvation, and there is room for debate. I agree with most commentators that the phrase refers to the quality of the food rather than the consumers’ identity. However, it is intriguing to speculate that angels may have been responsible for distributing it to the people. After all, people did not always see the angels who were present. The Arameans, for example, once pursued Elisha to his home in Dothan. The servant of Elisha was terrified, but Elisha prayed to God to open his eyes. God complied, and the servant saw the heavenly host encircling Dothan, protecting Elisha (2 Kings 6.15-17). So, even if manna arrived with the dew, it could still have been brought down from heaven by angels.
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[No, I haven’t given up on the book of Proverbs. Chapter 8 will pick up where the previous installments left off. I believe that my articles on Proverbs have become white noise for some of my readers. And they’ve lost interest. I appreciate the kind words of individuals who have read and valued those posts. Your kind words always make their way to me. Before tackling another block of Proverbs for a month or two, I’ll present a few weeks of non-Proverbs-related content. And God willing, I shall eventually conclude my study of Proverbs. Even once I resume the series, I anticipate taking a few more breaks, so please be patient with me until we finish the book of Proverbs. Thanks, Brent]
Five hens were safely back in the coop, but one would not go back inside. When the man and his wife tried to coax her back in, she began darting left and right and back and forth. The closer the couple came to her, the more frantic she grew. She darted away from her house toward the woods. When the man went after her, she flew over the fence and deeper into the neighbor’s woods. The man and his wife went inside their home and waited. Later, the hen was back outside the coop. Her sisters were pacing inside their run and she was trying to go head first through the small square of the welded wire to join them. The man and his wife herded her into the corner where the coop meets the run. The man caught the frantic hen as she tried to fly away. As he held her and tossed her inside the coop, she squawked and wailed the whole way. A few minutes later, she was mindlessly and meekly scratching and pacing with the rest of the girls.
It was tempting to let her go, to conclude that she asked for that. But, we thought about the feed and care that has gone into her, the fact that she is just about ready to start laying eggs, but also the humane aspect. There are so many predators on or near our place–foxes, raccoons, snakes, hawks, coyotes, a bobcat, and even an occasional long-tailed weasel. We also have seen the carnage that befell a Green Egger in this current flock. So, we did not give up on Pearl. She’s safely home and doing the things hens do, scratching, pacing, eating, and so forth.
I could not help but think how often I act like Pearl. My Father has given me so much. He supplies my every need (Phil. 4:19), and then some! He takes care of me (Mat. 6:25-32) and has my best interest at heart. He has invested more into me than I can possibly comprehend (John 3:16). Yet, so often I fail to trust Him and even run away from Him in favor of my own, misguided way (Prov. 3:5; 14:12). When I go astray and get into harmful predicaments, I reveal a rejection of His wisdom in favor of my own folly. I don’t have near the excuse of a chicken. Despite journal articles outlining the spatial capacities, very basic arithmetic capacities, complex communication system, and complex emotions of chickens, the most generous assessment is that they are, at best, of average intelligence in the animal world and not remotely comparable to humans. Of all God’s creation, only we are made in His image (Gen. 1:26-27). Only we were valuable enough to Him that He devised a plan to save us from our sins.
Why would I run from Him? Why would I evade His care and His guidance? Why would I protest and fight His efforts to help me and bring out my best good? While the parable in Luke 15 and the 23rd Psalm are about sheep rather than poultry, the reminder is spot on: “He makes me lie down…He leads me…He restores my soul…He guides me in the paths of righteousness” (Psa. 23:2-3). He is with me, He comforts me, He generously provides for me, and He heals me (Psa. 23:4-5). The Bible helps me see the big picture, to see beyond the desires of the flesh and the perceived need of the moment. God wants me to trust Him and follow His way. May I be “smart” enough to know that and never run away!
An update from this afternoon: Pearl is on the nest!
There’s a pretty well known quote that people often share on social media. It says, “Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living.” What is gratitude? Being grateful means recognizing our blessings. There are some people that I don’t mind being inconvenienced by. People that I’d happily help if they needed it, and that’s because these people are grateful. They appreciate and thank you for helping them…Then there are people that I don’t exactly enjoy helping. Why? Because they demand your help and almost seem like they feel entitled to your help. You help them and you don’t get a thank you and they aren’t grateful for your sacrifice. It’s interesting that these people never seem to be happy, and there’s a reason. They fail to be grateful for the blessings they receive.
When we take the time to be thankful for what we have, we don’t have as much time to think about what we don’t have. If we want to find true joy, focus on being grateful for what God has given us. For example, notice what many Christians have today:
We live in America
We worship in a building each Sunday
We don’t have to walk everywhere
We have a roof over our heads
We have a church family
We have food and clothes
The list goes on and on. We have plenty to be grateful for, yet sadly we focus on the few things we don’t have.
Being grateful leads to contentment. We won’t feel cheated in life. Being grateful keeps us from having self-pity because we won’t be stuck thinking about how much more we deserve. Being grateful keeps us from having feelings of jealousy and envy. We won’t be constantly comparing ourselves to others. Notice the gratitude of the psalmist in Psalm 118:1, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Skipping down to Verse 29 he says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” The psalmist begins and ends this chapter reminding us why we are to give thanks to the Lord. It is because His love for us never ceases. Again in Psalm 136 we read the words of a man dedicated to thanking God.
Notice the breakdown of this psalm:
“Give thanks to God” mentioned three times in three verses.
Why? Because He is good and His Love endures forever.
26 times the phrase “love endures forever.”
The psalmist repeats this phrase and then shows us how He loved us.
Defeated kings, gave us land, led his people in the wilderness, etc.
Why should we be grateful? Because God Loves us. And He shows us that He cares. Gratitude brings about happiness. Joy in recognizing how great God’s love is for us.
Gratitude is seeing all the many ways that God had blessed us.
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