I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. 3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. 4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." 7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: 9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help." 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Each of us needs to take the time to stop our lives, consider our past and reflect of God’s goodness toward us. We all are blessed beyond measure. We all can see times in our lives when the only explanation is that God has provided for us, taken care of us and worked thru us. We must exclaim the praises of God for his lovingkindness, his patience and his mercy toward us. It is a shame that so many will ask God for his care and favor and then when it is shown to them they attribute it to “good luck” or “coincidence that things worked out”. James tells us that we are to “ask in faith, without doubting”. This means we approach our petition to God with absolute assurance that he will answer us. While it may not be the answer we want or asked for, it will be what is best for us.

Since God is God, he always knows what is best for each of us. We, seeing only a speck of time and space, cannot question the God who created all things, who knows all things and sees all things. Add to this the promise he has made that he will use everything that happens and that exists in our lives to work for our good and we can live with complete confidence and joy. We thank God that we are his sheep and he is our shepherd.

O God, I thank you for your goodness in my life. While I often do not understand and even don’t like what I have to face, I know that you are with me and taking care of me. I praise you for your love and the provision for your forgiveness that I may live in assured anticipation of being with you in eternal bliss. Help my faith to remain committed to you. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we thank him and praise him.