-December 29, 2022-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah.”
(Psalm 68:19).
As the year draws to the end, it is a good time to reflect on what God has given to us and done for us. There are significant things that the Lord did in our lives in 2022, but there are also daily blessings and benefits in the simple, ordinary events of life. The two most important things we can do are: not to forget His benefits and to give thanks for all our benefits.
• Don’t Forget His Benefits – We tend to get very busy, especially with Christmas and New Year’s. We need to make time, perhaps even start a new tradition of sharing what did for us during this year. Maybe limit it in our gatherings to three things or in larger groups, one major thing God did for us this year. New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to share. In my case, it was how the Lord healed me after my pacemaker surgery and stopped the fluid from leaking through my leg and reduced my leg swelling drastically. My recovery has been so great. I feel like a new man. My voice for speaking and singing is much stronger, and I feel much younger. The Great Physician is so good. I had great doctors, surgeons, and nurses, but all the glory goes to God.
How about you? What would you share from 2022? There is so much negativity, pessimism, fear, and perplexity in this world. We as the children of God know that He is with and we can find the hidden blessings all around us. The term hidden blessing is an idiom referring to the idea that something that appears to be a misfortune can have unexpected benefits. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
• Give thanks to God for all our benefits, large or small – The Psalmist said, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” I will take up the cup of salvation” (Psalm 116:12-13). Just as our trials are taylor made for us, so are our blessings and benefits. Let us thank and praise God for them all. He daily loads us with benefits. He doesn’t give in scarcity but rather in abundance. When Pharaoh found out that Joseph’s family was coming to Egypt, he sent donkeys loaded with provisions for Jacob. Genesis 45:23 says, “And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt , and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey.” God sends us blessings for our journey to heaven.
Let us not miss the opportunity to remember and give thanks for all our benefits and blessings of this year. Soon 2022 will be gone and we will move onward in the new year. Stay safe and healthy.
With hearts filled with gratitude may we have a good attitude,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 