Psalm 92
1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Reflection
It is good to give thanks. We all know that, however it’s not something we always practice.
I recently read something that referred to the difference between giving thanks FOR everything and giving thanks IN everything. It is a subtle difference, and yet an important one. It can be difficult to give thanks in the midst of a pandemic. It can be difficult to give thanks when there is racial tension and when our eyes are being opened to injustice that is hard to understand. It can be difficult to give thanks when a loved one is ill or in the midst of tragedy or when our lives feel like they are falling apart. It is difficult to give thanks when we’re not sure what there is to be grateful for.
And yet when we give thanks IN everything, we acknowledge that God’s steadfast love is with us in the morning and the night, in the celebration and the sorrow. When we give thanks IN everything we are trusting that God IS present and God will be with us IN every situation. When we give thanks IN everything we are opening ourselves to God’s promises of healing and hope.
Perhaps today would be a good day to give thanks. Give thanks IN the times of joy and the times when your heart is breaking. Give thanks IN the simple days and the days when you’re not sure which way to turn. Give thanks….
Prayer
Thank you God. Thank you that in each moment you are there. Thank you for your promise of new life. Thank you that even in the midst of heart-break, I cannot wander beyond your love. Amen.
To Listen and Sing:Or perhaps you have another song/hymn that expresses gratitude….
