Day 227

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Weekly Devotional

August 14— Psalm 78: On Having a Warm Heart

Reflection

Judah dislikes the message Jeremiah brings, so they seek to kill the messenger. But despite the bleak situation, God promises not to forsake his people forever. Even so, Jeremiah stands firm, but watches in sadness as his nation is taken captive.

Jeremiah knew he served the God of all nations—a God of justice and glory. And that's what kept him going. Perhaps you need a little help to keep you going today. Take time now to meditate on Psalm 78, in which Asaph recounts God's faithfulness toward a people who were continually disobedient and rebellious and ungrateful. Why not learn a lesson from that negative example today?

Have a Heart of Gratitude!

A woman asked her physician, "Doctor, why am I seized with these restless longings for the glamorous and faraway?" "My dear lady," he replied, "they are the usual symptoms of too much comfort in the home and too much ingratitude in the heart."

Three times in Psalm 78, Asaph points out how the nation Israel "put God to the test" by placing demands on God (v. 18), forgetting his past deliverance (v. 41), and disobeying his commands (v. 56). In each case, the problem was ingratitude—the subtle temptation first to grow accustomed to, then to expect and finally to demand the blessings of God.

Ingratitude in the face of God's gracious provision chipped away at and eventually destroyed the nation's relationship with God. Is ingratitude doing the same in your life? How do you relate to the blessings of God? Has abundance produced indifference or appreciation? Has your heart grown cold from the consistency of God's blessings?

The old gospel hymn is still a timely reminder: Count you blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done!

Try it! In the next two minutes try to list twenty-five ways God has enriched your life; twenty-five blessings for which you want to thank him for. Remember, it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!

Prayer

Oh Lord, you have blessed us beyond measure and we are forever grateful! You carry us through this life's journey and walking with you we don't have a care in the world. We know this is not our home. Our home is in heaven with you but while we wait oh what a joy we have in You! We praise you and worship you for your saving grace and for filling us with the power of the Holy Spirit. What a great blessing that we did not earn but because of our belief our Savior has redeemed us and we wait for the ultimate blessing of reigning with Him. Thank you for loving us so much, Jesus! Amen!


Count Your Blessing Name Them One by One!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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