Scripture: Psalm 115.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Psalm 115:16-18 (NLT)

16 The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.

17 The dead cannot sing praises to the LORD, for they have gone into the silence of the grave.

18
But we can praise the LORD both now and forever! Praise the LORD!

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

David has yet another reminder for us in this Psalm that no matter what comes our way, we have a lot for which we can Praise The Lord! I heard a story at one time of a man with just one arm being questioned about the reason he could find to praise the Lord, and his response was that He had one good arm and he was so thankful and needed to praise the Lord. I believe that so often we fall into the trap of needing or probably wanting to be lifted up ourselves that we act in self-pity hoping to gain that attention. Friends, we have a Savior that loves us unconditionally. We don’t need to act in any particular way to get His attention, for He watches over us day and night, and He cares for us like no other. Let’s learn to recognize that in the good health that we enjoy, yes even when we awake in pain on one side of our body. Stop and thank God for blessing you with a whole body, without any missing limbs and a whole side without pain. Let’s learn to praise Him for the beautiful weather that we enjoy, and please don’t complain about the rain, or the heat, or the cold, but know that our God is the maker of this universe and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Look for the blessings in the rain when you look at the beautiful greenery or the tasty vegetables or quieted allergies because the dust and pollen has been settled. Look for the blessings in our jobs when we look at the challenges of families with unemployed moms and dads, or the hungry around us because there is no money for food. Friends, we must do a better job of praising our God for His many blessings on us, and stop whining about the things that we personally desire. Join me today in singing “Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me“

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

I am reminded so much of the Thanksgiving holiday as I wrote this devotional this morning, but Lord I am convinced this was your handiwork, to remind me that You just shower me with blessings every day, even on those darkest days when it looks like everything is going wrong and the world seems totally against me. No matter what comes my way, I am reminded that while I am alive I must give You the praise and thanksgiving for ALL things. As One who loves me, Lord please help me to not complain but accept Your gifts as presented by You. Please help me to concentrate on the gifts/blessings and not the distractions of those things that I wish were different. Just thinking about my eternal home is enough to silence the distractions of this world and fade out the distractions of a little pain or discomfort. Thinking about sitting at Your feet and singing praise and glory to You truly overshadows anything that may not go my way today. Thank You Lord for loving even me and taking such good care of even me. I love You Lord Jesus, and thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your blessings on me!

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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