Week Three: Stories of the Bible (1)
There are so many stories of people in the Bible who have shown gratitude, but there's also many stories of people who have not shown gratitude. These stories prove that our lives are lived better and give greater glory to God when we are grateful. In fact, I would argue we HAVE to be gray in order to be giving God glory. One primary example of a person that displayed gratitude over and over again was Paul.
A little background on Paul: he was a major persecutor of the early Church. He arrested, hurt, and killed lots of Christians. One day, he had a radical encounter with Jesus and became on of the heroes of the Christian faith. He wrote much of the New Testament in the Bible, which consist of several letters that Paul wrote to churches to encourage them in their faith and pursuit of God.
One of my favorite books he wrote is Philippians. It is such a great book (highly encourage doing a deep dive on it soon if you never have). My favorite verses are found in chapter 4, verses 11-13. It reads, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
These verses are so amazing to me because of where Paul was when he wrote them. He was on house arrest because of his profession and outward expression of faith in Jesus. Put yourself in his shoes: can you imagine being in jail and writing these words??? Words that show gratitude and contentment in what God has done and given you even though the only thing you have in that moment is Jesus? This is so powerful! It really shows that contentment will come along with gratitude once you put it into practice.
I want to continue our challenge to you: continue being grateful for the Lord and what He's done for you. I also want to challenge you to pay attention to your level of contentment after you've practiced gratitude. I can confidently say that as God becomes greater and greater in your life, you and your wants will become less and less. It is in a life like this, one where you lose your own life, that you will find true life in Him-the only source of true life there is. May your week be filled by Him.
Izzy Hansen
David shows Gratitude
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him”.
Psalm 28:7
This psalm was written by David, “a man after God’s heart” (Acts 13:22). David wrote many psalms worshiping and praising the Lord. In his psalms, whether he was suffering or not, he always returned the focus back to praising God, and thanking Him for His goodness, mercy, lovingkindness, and so much more.
David had a life I couldn’t even imagine. When he was only a boy he fought off bears, and other predators to protect his sheep. When all the men of Israel trembled in fear against the Philistines little David, just a boy, rose up in faith and fought a giant named Goliath. When he grew up he was on the run for his life multiple times for YEARS because a King named Saul was jealous of him. When he became King, David fought many battles to protect his kingdom. He had many struggles throughout his life.
In all the trials and darkness, and uncertainty David never lost faith in the Lord. Instead he praised the Lord and trusted in God’s goodness, mercy, and promises. Many of the psalms in the bible are written by David. In some you’ll see him crying out to the Lord in agony, and yet you'll see him end up thanking the Lord. He feels the emotions, gives them to the Lord, and thanks the Lord. Then his perspective changes from his circumstances to things above, to the Lord. It’s no longer about David, but about the goodness of God.
In Psalm 30:11-12 David writes: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my god, I will give thanks to You forever”. He acknowledges everything God has done for him in the past and shows gratitude. He pledges to raise thanksgiving forever. He does not think about how God can bless him now and in the future. He already is blessed and grateful.
Sometimes it's easy to forget all that the Lord has already done for us as we turn to grumbling about the things or situations that we are in. Sometimes it’s easy to overlook our salvation and the blessing of being born again. Let's turn our focus back to gratitude. To the ultimate blessing of salvation that is found in Christ.
How wonderful and amazing it is to be loved by God! The God who created the universe and all its mysteries loves you. We are but dust, if you look out of a plane window, you cannot see individual humans. We are so small and yet so immensely loved. We are precious to the Lord. What a blessing!
In this season I encourage you to think of the ways the Lord has blessed you. David faced dark times and while suffering he gave thanks to the Lord. Let’s give thanks to the one who can turn our mourning into songs of joy. Peace and blessings to you!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;”
Psalm 103:2-4
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