Today is a special Thanksgiving devotion.
Our Heavenly Father is faithful without exception.
We can and should count our blessings, using the language of Psalm 103:2 below, “forget none of His benefits”.
At the risk of distracting attention from God’s words and your own meditation about your own blessings, the benefit of naming one of my blessings outweighs this risk, because I think it will help us to not reserve our happiness and thanks until something that we desire happens in the future.
For at least four years, I worried about possible plaque build-up in my arteries. There was concern about my calcium score, but because I did not feel any pain and exercised regularly, I could and did postpone tests.
I continued to exercise regularly, and even did some remarkable hikes, still feeling no pain, BUT in the back of my mind, I reserved my happiness. Dragging my feet, I went through a series of tests stretched out over time.
Finally, yesterday, my cardiologist put me through a stress test, and to my surprise, on that very day, I received an email which released the test results which were really good, including the final line: “Recommendations Patient has low risk for a cardiac event.”
All that worry for nothing. All that reservation of happiness for nothing.
Enough! Whatever we face, let us trust the LORD, not reserving our happiness.
Especially for us who are older than most, it is important for us to shed our sourpuss demeanor and exult in what the LORD has done for us. Figuratively at least, and maybe literally, let us dance in joy for what the LORD has done for us and continues to do for us.
Even though we will have trials and tribulations in the future, there is …
“A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4.
“12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
15 To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15.
“8 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
9 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
12 Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!” 1 Chronicles 16:8-13.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5.
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11.
“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.
“With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:16.
“5 … My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 