Scripture: Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Thought for the Day: Two words stand out to me in this verse from Psalm 9. They are: WHOLE & ALL. I believe the author of the Psalm sees too many folks (and maybe the author is speaking from personal experience) who are somewhat divided about their gratitude, especially when it comes to God’s wonderful deeds. It is easy to begin seeing much of the joyful happenings and blessings in life as either being deserved or attained by our own work. It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote:
In ordinary life we hardly realize
that we receive a great deal more than we give,
and that it is only with gratitude
that life becomes rich.
The richness and fullness of life begins with a spirit of gratitude that has its origin within an undivided heart. We cannot give thanks to God while patting ourselves on the back. We cannot extend a polite thank you to someone while thinking to ourselves, “I deserved it all along.” Gratitude is the complete and genuine appreciation of all that is, and all that we know and have received. Only then does life become rich and truly blessed.
Prayer: With my ego and sense of entitlement on the sidelines, I bring my whole heart to you, my Lord, with gratitude and joy. Amen.
