THANKFUL

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Lord, the talking heads ceaselessly ramble, predicting what 2022 will be like. Some predict more chaos and division while others say the opposite, that this is the year we take back our country, whatever that means. That ugly serpent/sin episode in the Garden of Eden continues to this day. The uncertainty and fear about the unknown leaves people on edge. However, for Christ-followers, through Jesus finished work on the cross to defeat sin, we’re redeemed yet still face mountains living in this broken world.  In Philippians 4:4–13, the Apostle Paul, who other than Jesus was the poster child for hardships, gave us a  nine-step formula for staying upbeat, living contented and peaceful lives regardless of circumstances.

First —”Rejoice in the Lord always! And again I say— Rejoice!” (v4). The psalmist, who also knew adversity, wrote “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:3). Like Paul and the psalmist, when we praise, we remind ourselves of what the Lord has done for us. His great salvation, His enduring presence. Our enemies of fear, doubt, anxiety, depression—anything that tempts us to quit our walk of faith—is driven away. The prophet Nehemiah reminded us we can rejoice every day since “the joy of [knowing] the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Praise reminds the devil of his defeat and that his attempts of ungodly influence fail.

In 2022, Lord, show me how to be creative in my praise and worship. May my enthusiastic praise ring through the halls of Glory and be heavenly music to Your ears. Amen!