O Give Thanks

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.” ‭Psalms‬ ‭118:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is where my reading began this morning! This is also where my heart beat with my first thought, awakening;  thanking my LORD for His mercies; amazed at the difference a day makes! Praise, peace, rest, and joy;  a wonderful way to start this day.

It was not so yesterday. I was tested. 

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” Psalms‬ ‭118:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It's funny how I sometimes do not realize I'm in a test until I'm almost through it! Did I pass? Well, I made it through, but not necessarily with flying colors! Oh, it could have been so much worse, but His mercy and grace held me up. I checked my heart and in repentance He saved the day. He always does!

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalms‬ ‭118:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The lyrics from "The Eye of the Storm", playing through my head this morning: "when my sails are torn, Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm!" 

Torn sails; dead in the water, but saved by love!

I look back at a sequence of events, isolated incidents, strangely connected; like a string of natural pearls, odd but tied together. Upon examination, exposing what was in my heart; repentance required, repentance made, forgiveness received; rest!

“The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.” Psalms‬ ‭118:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Victory, not pretty,  but another lesson learned. ‬‬

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalms‬ ‭118:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:10-12 KJV

What the enemy meant for harm, God meant for good.‬‬

“Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” Psalms‬ ‭118:13-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬

“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” Psalms‬ ‭118:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Giving glory to God! 

I cried out to Him and He answered all of my prayers, ALL DAY LONG! He rescued me when I needed rescuing. He comforted me when I needed comfort and He made away, where there was no way! He gets all the glory! ‬‬

“The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.” Psalms‬ ‭118:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord: This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms‬ ‭118:19-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And today, we do it all over again! For this IS the day, He has made for me & I WILL rejoice and be glad in it! 

Even so - MARANATHA! 

From 10/22/16