Topic: Debtors of Gratitude [Thursday 24 December, 2015]

Memorise: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: - Psalm 103:2

Read: Psalm 103:1-14 (KJV)

1 (A Psalm of David.) Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 21:2-24:22; 1 John 1:1-2:6

MESSAGE:

Everyone on earth is indebted to the Almighty God. Irrespective of your many needs that are yet to be met, you must still remember that the breath of life you have is not a function of your power. If you can think deeply within you, and look at all that is happening around you, you will give ceaseless praise to God. The reason why some people do not think they should thank God is because they are looking at those things they do not yet have, but they forget to look at those things they have right now. Some would even say they have nothing. Such people are unmindful of the fact that it is with life that things are produced, and when you have life you have all things. The Scripture in Psalm 68:19 says:

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

The implication of this is that there is nothing we need that the Lord has not provided for. What to eat, what to drink, where to live, the car to drive, the person to marry are all examples of His benefits.

When the Psalmist followed the multitude into God's house, he went with joy without being forced (Psalms 42:4). Why then do we wait for people to motivate us to praise God? Why do we behave as if there is nothing in our life to thank God for? The mercy of the Lord towards us is everlasting (Psalms 100:5). With this assurance, we should be singing and praising His Name. You are to bless the Lord for all He has done in the past, all He is doing in the present and all He is yet to do. As you do this, He is committed to doing more. One of the greatest lessons on gratitude I learnt was from my mother. Any time my mother wanted to collect my school fees from my father, she would draw up a strategy of praising and eulogising my father. She would call him great names he did not bear. She would mention great feats and achievements far above his profile and credit him with them. Even before she was done, he would give her what she wanted. This strategy worked every time. If this can work for a mortal man full of limitations, how much more the immortal God who has no limitations? For all the blessings and protection of the Almighty God, you can never praise Him enough. When you praise God adequately and magnify His various Names, He is moved, and once God moves on your behalf, you can expect the miraculous. You can also expect Him to ambush your enemies and open doors in all aspects of your life.

Action Point: Praise the Lord that you are alive.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.