DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 25 March 2023
TOPIC: Giving Thanks Always
Text: Psalm 113:1-9 (KJV)
113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord‘s name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
KEY VERSE:
“Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.”
(Psalm 113:2)
DCLM Daily Manna Saturday 25 March 2023 MESSAGE
John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet, in those days, he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart.
While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he did not even have a bed. But he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Deeply moved, Wesley recognised that this man knew the meaning of true thanksgiving.
Believers are encouraged to praise and bless God always, no matter the circumstances. Special mention was made of the poor and the barren, who though were no doubt in pains and poverty, kept up their praise until God intervened and delivered them. The poor and needy are thereafter lifted out of the dunghill of poverty, while the barren woman becomes a joyful mother.
One could imagine the intervening variables between the times these needy brethren praise and prayed, and when their deliverance eventually came. It was not an easy ride. They had to deliberately ignore the pains of the moment and concentrate on the praise of the ever-changeless God. Praise becomes a sacrifice when you have to do it under challenging circumstances.
It is easy to praise God when all is well. The true test of your praise and sincerity of your thanksgiving comes when you do that under adverse conditions. We must understand that our trials and tribulations do not last forever. There will certainly be a change in our circumstances, but how many of us are prepared to wait in praise until our change comes?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The courts of heaven are always open to “praiseful” saints.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 13-16
