Oh, Give Thanks to the LORD

Daily Devotional – Friday, August 11, 2023
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)

Life is about choices. Every morning when I wake up, I have to choose whether to complain about the challenges ahead or to give thanks to the Lord for the blessing of a new day. Life gives me the opportunity to choose between lamenting over yesterday’s closed doors and the prospect today brings.

Grateful for Diversity

I am at liberty to dwell on the weaknesses of my family members or to thank God and embrace our individual and mutual strengths. My decision will determine whether the molehills of character deformity will become mountains of conflict or whether the mustard seed of love will grow and encompass the whole family with kindness.

My workplace is not different. There is a mismatch of attitudes, characters, languages, religions, cultures, educational levels, age, and gender, to name a few parameters. The risk of conflict and open disagreements is high, but I must choose to embrace the blessings of diversity in all the children of God.

Praise God for Every Circumstance

Similarly, society offers me opportunities to choose. There are many well-meaning people who are kind and generous to a fault. Likewise, a clique of human beings thrives on making life hard for others. If I want the aromatic roses, I must accept the pricking thorns they bear. I cannot have my cake and eat it.

Ultimately, as a child of God, I must believe that nothing good or bad happens to me without His knowledge and approval, and every experience makes me a better person. Consequently, whatever my situation, I choose to join David in his song of thanksgiving, and exclaim with joy, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34).

Oh, Give Thanks to the LORD

Today, look around you, appreciate the people, places, and opportunities in your life, and give thanks to the Lord. Instead of complaining about the negatives, praise God for the positives. When life tempts you to enumerate your weaknesses, count your blessings. As long as God is good and His love endures forever, choose to praise and thank Him every day, for He is in control.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I give thanks to You, for You are good! Your mercy endures forever.