Invitation to Search

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 66: Today, I am grateful for an invitation to "search." 

Search warrants have a negative connotation because they mean someone might be in trouble. When a search warrant is at the door, most humans feel a moment of panic. "What are they looking for?" "What do they think I did?" Or, perhaps the panic of being caught in a questionable or compromising situation. No one wants a search warrant at the door. 

David wrote this Psalm:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." -Psalm 139:23-24

When David messed up, it was big! This is a beautiful passage that points to the relief that comes from confessing our sins... the ones He already knows about, so it is not a surprise. Still we attempt to hide them, just like Adam and Eve.

David says, "test me" and "know my anxious thoughts." Yes, He already knows our anxiety, too. Anxiety has a root. Psychology and culture will find many explanations, but David figured it out many centuries ago. Falling out of relationship with God is at the root of anxiety. A heart that is full of guilt, regret, and shame. 

"Point out my offenses" is a humble prayer. Then, David says, "Lead me." He knows there are two paths. One leads to life everlasting. The other does not.  

His love is deep. His grace is wide. He longs to save and not condemn, but we must seek His face. We must open our hearts to the search. Whatever is found, we have a way to redemption and full propitiation. 

God provided a way through his son... Yeshua... Jesus... our Savior... and our King. 

Today, I am grateful for an invitation to "search." 

Light and Salvation

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 65: Today, I am grateful for His light and His salvation.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?" -Psalm 27:1 

The Psalms are a beautiful collection of poetry, songs, and meditations. Most are credited to King David. He knew God as his light and his rescuer. As a child shepherding a flock, God protected him from wild beasts and a "giant" in the Philistine army known as Goliath. 

God protected him from King's Saul's anger and attempts to murder him out of jealousy. God protected him in battle. 

God forgave David when David's sin against Uriah and God's laws when his heart was filled with sincere repentance. David would continue to serve God all the days of his life. God did not spare him all of the consequences of his sin, but the relationship was restored. Psalms is full of insight into the deep and intimate relationship between David and the Lord. 

David knew that the Lord would light his path and make a way for him in times of trouble and in times of celebration. God never abandoned David, even when David messed up in the worst of ways. God's light poured into David's darkest days. He did not abandon David in his despair and brokenness. 

He was, is, and will always be our light and our salvation. 

Today, I am grateful for His light and His salvation.

Weather Attitude Check

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 64: Today, I am grateful for a weather attitude check.

The Midwest is famous for its weather mood swings. It is incredibly easy to jump on the "complain train" about the weather. I know. I am guilty! 

I am reminded of the power of gratitude when it comes to facing daily weather changes, challenges, and inconveniences. 

We need the rain, the heat, and even the cold that allows the earth to rest and restore. We can have our favorites, but all of them are a part of God's perfect design.

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." -Ephesians 5:20

We can be thankful for thirst quenching rains. We can delight in the sunny days that warm the earth for the flowers, the food, and the fun it brings. We can celebrate the snow that slows us down and quiets the earth so it can rest. 

I have to smile because fall is not in the picture. Apparently, the fall is pretty perfect.  Celebrate this day, whatever the season. In all things give thanks. 

Today, I am grateful for a weather attitude check.

Thunder's Lullaby

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 63: Today, I am grateful for thunder's lullaby.

It has been a long time since we have had thunder. It is a sign of spring. The heavens rumbled gently much of the night. For me, it is like a lullaby. 

"God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine the greatness of his power." Job 37:5

What an image that creates! His strength and power are heard and felt when thunder rolls. Thunder is unseen, but everywhere. 

Nature cannot help but express the glory of the Lord. Sometimes it is a snapshot of a beautiful landscape or a field of flowers... and other times, it is a song. 

Today, I am grateful for thunder's lullaby.

Higher Ways

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 62: Today, I am grateful for His "higher ways."

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9

Beyond what we can dream up or imagine, His ways are not our ways. The God of the Universe showed his love for us when we least deserved redemption. His desire to offer chances to Nineveh upset poor Jonah who did not like the Ninevites. Still, when they heard the message from God... delivered without fluff... they repented and turned from their evil ways. 

Sodom and Gomorrah did not. His mercy does not suspend his judgement when our hearts become hard and knees will not bend. It is funny how we will do nearly anything to be in the company of celebrities, but we often ignore the invitation to be in relationship with God. Too busy, too tired, too self-absorbed or not interested... there are always decisions to be made. 

This verse is a reminder in the New Testament:

"And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment." -Jude 1:7

His ways are not our ways. God never stutters. His word is clear on his will and his ways from the Ten Commandments to the Great Commission. Love God. Love people. Seek his will and his face. It may not always make sense, but it will always be "the way that leads to life."

Today, I am grateful for His "higher ways."

The Tenderhearted

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 61: Today, I am grateful for the tenderhearted.

Look around. Who are the tenderhearted in  your circle? Do not forget to look at the little ones. Showing tenderness is really showing strength. 

Little ones often help each other navigate playground challenges. They help the people and pets in their path with no agenda. They enjoy serving. They find joy in pouring into others. 

Look to the special needs population, too. They often have an extra dose of tenderhearted tenacity, too. Just try and stop them from "helping" when they see a need. You might be up for a battle. 

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." -Ephesians 4:32

Jesus looks upon us with tenderhearted compassion. His love stretches deep and wide. His forgiveness changes everything. He sees the messes we make... and the hot mess we might be... and chooses to love us anyway. 

His example is perfect.

Today, I am grateful for the tenderhearted.

Faith Stronger Than Fear

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 60: Today, I am grateful for a faith stronger than fear.

"There is a gentle peace that surrounds you when your faith becomes stronger than your fear." -Anonymous

This quote holds deep truths. When faith is stronger than fear, everything changes. Hurry and worry subside and peace settles in like a warm blanket. The illustration of "resting in the shelter of His wings" is another way of describing that kind of peace. 

Hope is not a "wish." Our hope is in Christ. He is our shepherd, defender, rescuer, and redeemer. In Him, we have all that we need.

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." -Hebrews 11:1

Just as a tiny bit of light disperses the darkness, the faith of a mustard seed can blossom into something big, strong, and beautiful. 

Today, I am grateful for a faith stronger than fear.