November 18, 2019
The Faithfulness of God
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!(Psalm 105:1, ESV)
Friend to Friend
In the year 1925, a Kentucky native named Thomas Chisholm put pen to paper and wrote the lyric to a song titled, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” History tells us he wrestled with health challenges and worked humbly behind a desk as an insurance agent, likely causing him to feel average and ordinary on most days, much like you and me.
Yet, in spite of the mundane, messy and miniscule matters of Thomas Chisholm’s life, he celebrated and savored the significance of God’s unfailing faithfulness when he wrote this song. A hymn of hope that’s been an anthem of gratitude now for decades.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Thomas’ desire to thank God for His tender care and morning-by-morning mercies began as personal time of worship, but echoes congregational appreciation through the voices and hearts of worshipers, generation after generation.
Gratitude is powerful.
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
(Psalm 105:1-4, ESV)
Psalm 105 begins with a simple soul directive: Give thanks to the Lord. (v1) I read this and pause to reflect on the ramifications.
If I just stopped six words in and lived that out today, it would impact everything. In spite of all that’s mundane, messy and miniscule in life right now, I can give thanks. I should give thanks.
We all can and should thank God. Continually. For so many things. For all the things! For our blessings and our blisterings. For our families, friends and foes. For our employment and unemployment, our health and health struggles.
Every whisper of thanks honors God as being trustworthy and faithful, regardless of the circumstances or challenges we face.
God is faithful, faithful, faithful.
Even when I find it hard to give thanks, His mercy meets me - over and over.
Every. Single. Day.
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24, CSB)
Let’s Pray
Unchanging, Faithful God, Thank You for the gift of grace through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for fresh mercies today and for the invitation to know and trust You with all the matters on my mind and in my heart today. You are my Strength, my Hope and my Portion - worthy of all praise.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Psalm 105:1-22. Note the history of God’s faithfulness with His people. In light of the ways He has met you in the past, what do you think God wants you to trust Him with today? Take time to pray about this right now.
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