Today’s scripture: Psalm 105 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Jeffrey Cope):
Giving thanks to the Lord is something I consciously do throughout my day. Drinking a nice hot cup of coffee in the morning? “Thank you, God!” Wife gets home safe from work after a long day? “Thank you, God!” I find that by being thankful for specific moments in life, I get a greater appreciation for the life I have, even when things are far from perfect.
Mostly though, I started talking to God throughout my day because I felt like my prayers had become a laundry list of my wishes. “God, will you please do this or that for ME?” Instead, I wanted a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. One where I respect that all blessings, big or small, come directly from God. By focusing in on the small things that God provides throughout my day, I feel blessed in every aspect of life.
This has been very comforting, knowing that God is in control of everything large and small. “Remember the wonders [God] has done, [God’s] miracles, and the judgments [God] pronounced” (verse 5). I think sometimes I forget past blessings; and seeing them for what they are and remembering them helps build my faith in God for what lies ahead.
Thought for the day: If you take time to smell the roses, make sure to thank God for making them!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.