Apr 6

“…David delivered first this psalm to thank the LORD…” 1 Chronicles 16:7

God had blessed Israel, and David was not going to let any opportunity pass, without giving thanks to the Lord his God! The occasion was the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and it was met with great rejoicing by king David and the people. The celebration included all the people receiving food and drink from the king, and the instigation of a worship service, in which talented musicians would play the instruments, and singers would sing praises to Yahwah. To be sung for the first time at this special event, David wrote and handed to Asaph the chief musician, a psalm of praise and thanks to the Lord. How good it is to be thankful to God! We do not find it difficult to call and cry to God, in our distressing times and times of sorrow and trial. It is just as necessary for us to find the motivation and heart to give thanks to God, for all the manifold blessings He endows us with. On special occasions, we might more easily remember what He does, Who He is and what He means to us, and may even express some special praise, and voice a heartfelt prayer. I am sure the occasion before us was not the only time David’s psalm was sung! Every day and in so many ways, God does wonderful things in our lives, and it is appropriate and desirable to be ready with praise and appreciation from a thankful heart. Looking for daily opportunities to be grateful to the Lord, is a good an wholesome practice, for it helps us to see the Divine blessing in the usual daily things of life, which we may be tempted to take for granted! Someone said it is easy to appreciate something when you don’t have it anymore! If we stop for a moment and think how frustrating when the ‘usual’ doesn’t happen or work as it usually does! It is then we become aware of it, and realise what place it fills in our daily life. Being thankful to the Lord, is a strength for the child of God, and a godly testimony to those who, lacking of relationship with the Lord, are discontent and find it difficult to be grateful for anything much at all in life!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Jan 17

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105

The strongest and ablest of men can stumble and fall if he attempts to progress in darkness. The idea portrayed in this renowned verse of scripture, is that God’s Word shines a light at our feet so we can safely walk the path of life. Each of us is journeying, and all of us face potential dangers and pitfalls as we travel life. The light of God at our feet ensures we have a safe passage. The Lord’s light shines with His wisdom, principles and commands enriching and giving meaning and purpose to life, but also keeping us from unnecessary hurt, loss and injury. He provides the understanding and comprehension we need to make it in life and walk rightly. His directives may be at times uncomfortable to the eyes which had grown accustomed to darkness, but when angled right as the light of a lamp or candle, they help us to clearly see where we should step next and avoid the pitfalls and dangers of that darkness. The light for our feet, He also shines on our path. This too is in the same manner a blessing and security to us human travellers. It shows just enough of the path ahead of us so that we can stay the course and not deviate or take the wrong turn, but causes us also to stay close to the light by not being able to see too far ahead of ourselves! God shines it in this manner so we can trust Him, lean on Him and rely on His direction at each step and at each bend in the road. If we in faith take our stand and step in the light He has given us, He will surely continue to shine it for us, so we can take one more step and another, and another… till we finally will step into the glorious city which is filled with the light of God and in which there is no more darkness nor night!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion