Thanksgiving Time

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you” (Psalm 116:7).

This verse reminds us that if the Lord has been good to us then it is time to express our love and gratitude to Him. This sentiment is reflected in this psalm from the beginning. The first four words of the psalm are “I love the Lord…” Then he tells why: He heard my voice…He heard my cry… (v.1). The psalmist is saying: The Lord heard me, then he helped me. He goes on in the next few verses to explain how He did so in specific ways. But here in the opening he says: Because of this I can’t help but love him more… That is why he begins the psalm by declaring, “I love the Lord…” Listen: I believe that every believer should be able to offer a similar declaration without hesitation!

The reason for this is because the Lord has been good to us. Not just in good times but even in hard times. You sense it here…Note the depth of the psalmist’s hurt when he opens by saying, “He heard my voice” (v.1). He does not even call it prayer; he just says voice (this Hebrew word speaks of groaning or moaning). Have you ever come before the Lord and moaned or groaned? Then you are not alone! He testifies, “He heard my cry” (v.1b) which is a word for prayer and it is in the plural (cries). His prayers—his cries to God were offered repeatedly. That reveals the depth of his hurt. The result of his prayers? God did not hide from him but heard him and then helped him. That is why he cannot help but say, “I love the Lord!”

Do you have reasons to love the Lord? Then tell Him! If the Lord has been good to you, then it is time to—Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron