It has been a crazy week but before I get carried away I wanted to do the Monday morning message! I wanted to focus on thanks and I just couldn't let one single week slip away!
It is no secret that our country has fallen on hard times. Our house is no exception! We have had financial struggles for the last year and everything seems to be magnified when the holidays roll around. It is easy to get caught up in what we don't have and focus on what we feel we "need". Sometimes I think about all of the things I am going without these days and it is easy to get bogged down in self pity.
I was looking around my bible and I found this passage and it speaks volumes to me!!!
Jeremiah 33:10-12 (nlt)
10 “This is what the Lord says: You have said, ‘This is a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah’s other towns, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord. They will sing,
‘Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
for the Lord is good.
His faithful love endures forever!’
For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the Lord.
12 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: This land—though it is now desolate and has no people and animals—will once more have pastures where shepherds can lead their flocks.
It says that the land was "desolate".
I haven't had a pedicure in months or been able to purchase a few luxury items, but I am FAR from desolate.
They had no food, no source of income, and no natural resources.
Sadly there are still some people living like this today. I am fortunate enough not to be one of those people.
It made me want to pull my head out of my self pity. It made me see that I do have a lot more than I realize and MUCH more than I need.
When you read on it says that not only will the land be restored but that there will be "joy and laughter" and that prosperity will be restored. The people will give thanks because God is good, He is faithful and His love will endure forever!
I need to be thankful for what I have but MORE than that I need to give what I can to those who need it more. I need to do it in the name of the Lord because He is good and I need to let others know of His love that will endure forever!
Forever....that is a really long time!
It is a lot of joy and laughter and prosperity.
I know that one day our financial woes will be far behind me and a land of prosperity will be all I know. But today is not that bad either! Thank you Lord for all that I DO have -
especially your faithful love!
And because it is stuck in your heads now, here is a nice song for you to enjoy!
As you know, our family has been in a very similar financial situation and it is so easy to get discouraged. I loved that song you shared. And you are right, we are far from desolate and I thank God every day that I have such wonderful friends and family that would never allow us to get to that desolate state.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite hymns (that is often stuck in my head these days!) is Count Your Many Blessings:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Glad to see you leaning heavily on God, who carries us, protects us, provides for our needs and loves us through our rebellious times.
ReplyDeleteHe never drops the ball. Lovely thought my dear!
As usual, your post is timely and relevant to what I'm feeling and experiencing. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement!
ReplyDelete