Thankful, Day Thirteen

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting;

And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100, NKJV

Praise and worship ought to be an event. I mean a hand-clapping, foot-stomping, heart-pounding, roof-raising celebration of Who God Is and all that He has done! I have never understood worship leaders who look like they just rolled out of bed, no smile, not energy, no enthusiasm or apparent interest in what they're doing. And I really don't understand church people who are supposedly saved, sanctified, spirit-filled and heaven bound who show no inclination whatsoever to offer a sacrifice of praise to God.

When I read this Psalm, I think about clapping and shouting and singing and jumping and dancing and running and hootin' and hollerin' because God has been so good to me.

I'm thankful, and rejoice today, that He's a healer, even when my body is aching and tired, when I'm sick and oh so weary! I have experienced the healing power of God for myself, I've witnessed the healing power of God in others, and I expect the healing power of God to continue to be demonstrated. But even in my infirmities, He is still a good God!

I'm thankful and rejoice today, that He's a compassionate God who truly cares for my every need. He is concerned about my well-being, and even though He may not minister to me the way I think He ought to, or provide me in the ways I think He should, I know that He is still watching over me and doing what is best for me.

I'm thankful and rejoice today, that He is my strength when I am weak, my shelter when I am in danger, my guide when I have gone astray. His strength is made perfect in my weakness, so I'm thinking, "Lord, I'd really like to see some of that strength, because I've had just about all I can take." I know this: He's never late. He may not be early, but He'll always show up in time, be on time, and do it every time!

I'm deliriously thankful for the goodness of God to meward!