"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving..."
There is the key! As long as I focus inwardly I will remain stuck. But when I lift up my eyes and focus on Christ and what He has done, I am free. The best and most acceptable posture to come before Him in is thanksgiving.
Another powerful verse in the Psalms states,
"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23)
When I offer thanksgiving, I prepare the way for God to work. When I give Him the glory He is due, he delights to further reveal Himself and His power. When I honor Him (even if it's a sacrifice) He meets me.
Wondering what the will of God is for your life? "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). ALL circumstances, at ALL times. Thanksgiving.
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips" (Psalm 34:1).
So I choose today not to focus my thoughts on my own circumstances and feelings, which change so easily. Instead, I look to God my Rock, the Faithful, Unchanging One, and what He has already done in my life.
Here are a few things I'm thankful for today:
the Love of my Heavenly Father, salvation through Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit, my husband, my family, our church and ministry community, our home, for music, for fellowship and friends, for the Word of God, for creativity, for shelter and clothing, for financial provision, for technology like Skype so I can keep in touch with friends, for daily protection, for grace, for touch and smell and taste and sight and hearing, for sunshine and rain, for a warm cup of tea.
How about you? What sacrifice of thanksgiving can you offer today?
