Well, good morning to all my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to all my friends on this Wednesday morning. Hey, the snow is coming and a lot of it, that is for all of who live here in Winsted CT. Now, may I ask are we thankful for the snow that is coming. Do we have, do we yet have an attitude of gratitude? Hear ye the Word of God, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good, teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me, but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” (Psalm 119:67-72) You know at Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for Gods blessings. Do we not? For sure we should! Amen? But do we ever consider thanking Him for something that doesnt seem like a blessing? Notice very carefully verse 67, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Before I was afflicted the original Hebrew could also be translated, “Before I was humbled.” The Hebrew word has the general sense of being afflicted, and may refer to any kind of trial. The palmist is telling us that before he was humbled he went astray or he wandered off and forgot his duty. He had departed from what was right, he had embraced flawed, wrong, inaccurate views, he even neglect God. And hey, prosperity did not lead him to fulfill his duty, to seek salvation, or to trust in God. This was his case, as it is in many today. Therefore affliction often becomes necessary to check us when we are going astray. Can I get a amen here? Notice the palmist goes on to say but now have I kept they Word. The result of the affliction or humbling, has been to recall him from his wanderings, and to turn him to paths of duty and holiness. Folks I am convinced that we are “always” benefited “sooner” or “later” by afflictions sent or allowed by God. It may not be at the time of the affliction, but the “ultimate” effect is in all cases to benefit us. “Praise God.” A grateful heart is most precious to God when, our situations dont warrant giving thanks. Folks, let’s believe and trust the Lord, let’s accept the situation as coming from God, either directly sent or permissively allowed. Remember Romans 8:28? “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Folks, If we truly believe Jesus is working for our good in our lives we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand, either directly sent or permissively allowed. Then we can say Thank You. So let’s enter these Thanksgiving holidays, even in the snow, with an attitude of gratitude, with a thankful heart. Loving You In Jesus Christ, Pastor David McGee
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:32:12 +0000
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