As a child I fondly remember receiving birthday presents. As I unwrapped the gifts I became more excited as I realized how useful this gift was or how much fun I could have with this new toy. The problem was that my Mom kept a list of who the presents were from and I was expected to write a short thank you note to each of the people who gave me a gift. I dreaded doing this. I would often put it off as long as possible until my Mom made me sit down and write two or three sentences expressing my thanks. I believe that my parents saw the value of instilling in me, from an early age, the habit of thankfulness. When we are thankful for what we do have we appreciate the blessing of new gifts and the graciousness of the giver. In Psalm 107 the author gives an invitation to give thanks to the Lord. The reason to give thanks is found in God’s faithful display of His love for His people. This Psalm was written about the people of Israel returning to the land after God had punished their continual disobedience. They were wandering (4), in need of food and water (5) and discouraged or faint in their spirit (6). Are you wandering and in need of direction for life? Are you in need of daily provisions? Are you in need of encouragement to replace discouragement? The Lord is good and faithful in showing His unfailing love. Trust Him and praise Him. When we thank God for His past faithfulness we will be able to rest in the present because our faith sees a good, faithful and loving God at work.
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