Going to be very honest, what I’m writing today is stepping on my toes and challenging me to remember my own words.
One of my favorite praise and worship songs is Matt Redman’s 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord). As with any “favorite”, I can become so accustomed to the words, that I lose sight of the message. Verse one has caught my attention recently with fresh meaning:
The sun comes up. It’s a new day dawning.
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
let me be singing when the ev’ning comes.
These words remind me of the promise of God recorded in Lamentations 3:22-23:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (NIV)
I need to cultivate the habit of remembering that God’s compassion and His mercy cover the needs and challenges of each day. This is truly reason to sing His praises as the new morning unfolds.
The last two lines of this stanza are rather sobering:
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
let me be singing when the ev’ning comes.
All too often, our days are full of challenges which result in feelings of loneliness, frustration, anger, worthlessness or depression as the shadows of evening gather. Do we still sing God’s praises in these hours?
In Psalm 4 David must have been writing about difficult days. “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” (vs.4) “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (vs.8)
Occasionally we may experience a day so full of blessing that we are tempted to float on the emotional high, rather than humble ourselves in gratitude to the One who is Provider of those blessings, the One who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17)
Will we chose to close this day not by raging at the battle or by taking false pride in accomplishments, but rather by quieting our hearts with praise to our God who continually walks with us in compassion.
Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, oh, my soul.
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, oh, my soul.
I worship Your holy name.
(Redman)
(If the Video Player does not load, click here to watch and listen to this amazing song!)
You said, “Occasionally we may experience a day so full of blessing that we are tempted to float on the emotional high, rather than humble ourselves in gratitude to the One who is Provider of those blessings, the One who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. ” I honestly believe that God rains blessings down on us everyday. It is our attitude that particular day that determines how accepting of those blessings we are. If we are so wrapped up in ourselves that day whether it be feeling sorry for ourselves, or prideful, or letting worries eat at us, or any other trick the enemy uses to get our eyes off of the Lord then it is us that fails to see the blessings that God has for us that day. If we are choosing to allow God to lead us that day I would imagine that those are the days that we find the “emotional high” that you spoke about. I think that is how God INTENDED for us to be able to live but it is during those times that we listen to the enemies lies or take our eyes off of God that we miss out on the blessings that He has for us.
I agree that if we keep our eyes open for them, we can find blessings in each day. Even during the hardest times, we can find something to count as a blessing.
I have to agree with Mark that simply floating through the day, basking in the blessings (the emotional high), is just one piece of the whole picture. Remembering to thank the Giver of those blessings is key in keeping ourselves humble and keeping our eyes focused on Him.
Jennifer, I totally agree with that! Most definitely. I was more “adding” to it I guess than disagreeing with anything he was saying. 🙂