Thankful, Day Ninety-Three

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

I've said it before; I'll say it again. There are times when it is an easy thing to offer thanks to God, especially when everything is great and going my way. Then there are other times. What do we do then, when the sun isn't shining so bright? When the world is not as it should be? When it's storm clouds and rain instead of brightness and blessing? The Psalmist gives us the answer in the 150th Psalm--We praise God anyway.

Have you ever thanked God for the bad stuff that happens in life, the things you think of as negatives? I'm always reminded of Betsy ten Boom, Corrie's older sister who died in a concentration camp, who thanked God for the fleas. After all, it was the fleas that kept the German guards out of their dormitories and allowed them the freedom of leading people in worship to God. Then I'm also reminded of Job after he'd lost it all, who prayed, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!" And I think of Paul in prison, who said, "I've learned in whatever state I am in to be content." And I've never had it anywhere near as bad as those folks.

There's this one thing that happened to me a few years ago that I'm not sure I actually thanked God for. But I'm about to, because I realize if it hadn't happened, none of the good things happening now would have been possible. I couldn't see it as a blessing, even though the Lord kept telling me I'd be better off once it happened. I didn't believe Him; I argued with Him. I told Him what would really be better was if He would just do something about my bad circumstances. He did, of course. Only, when I wanted Him to fix them He just removed me from it. I'm sure the situation is still bad; but I do thank God I'm not in it.

And because something bad happened in my life, a whole world of good has come from it. I've been able to extend hospitality and ministry to others who had needs I could meet. My household and family have been increased exponentially and repeatedly. Because I had to stay put when I actually wanted to run away, I now have an awesome ministry among people who have been a great blessing in my life. And because of that particular ministry, I attended a particular conference and got on a certain elevator at just the right time. And my world has never been the same since.

You see, Joseph learned an important lesson too: What some meant for evil, God turned around for good! That is why I can enter the presence of God with thanksgiving, no matter what's happening to me. That's why I can praise Him in every circumstance and situation, because even when He hasn't done what I wanted Him to do, He is still God and worthy of all praise!

Thank you Lord for the difficult times that build patience, character and hope within me. I am growing, even though it's uncomfortable. I'm learning, and I'm glad for it.

Thank you Lord for the people you place in my life to knock off my rough edges. I may not like everybody, but I'm learning to love.

Thank you Lord for the promise of better things yet to come; I know your words are faithful and true, and sooner or later, everything is gonna be alright!