Someone has said, “It is not so much great faith in God that is required but faith in a great God.”
I find myself on this Monday before Thanksgiving reflecting on yesterday’s message (I may be the only one!) 
and also thinking ahead to Thursday’s feasting with family. As I do, I realize the quote above is as much about me as it is anyone else. Not always have I had great faith…in fact, it may be seldom. But one thing I can say without a doubt is the faith I do have is based in a great God. I took the folks yesterday to Psalm 145 after a short visit in Luke 17 with the 10 lepers. Here are three truths I found in Psalm 145 that stood out to me. Because of space I will keep this short but I hope you will take the time to reflect on this chapter and how much there is in it.
First, my gratitude can be because of God’s Greatness. Oh my, could I go on and on about this! But if you will look at verses 3-6 you can find 4 reasons why God is great.
Second, my gratitude can be because of God’s Great Grace. The words found in verse 8 are an echo of the words found in Exodus 34:6. What is so unique is that in the Exodus passage God is speaking to Moses about Himself! The same God who was in Exodus was also in David’s psalm and is still the same God today. God is not good because we deserve it. God is good because that is WHO HE IS.
Third, my gratitude can be because of God’s Unfailing Faithfulness. This is one easy to forget. One phrase that really stood out to me was in verse 16: “You open your hand.” Amazing! We often picture God as someone tight-fisted and unwilling to give us His blessings when this verse shows Him to be exactly the opposite.
Reflection complete. I hope mine has given you something to think about. Now tell me…what are you grateful for?
I am grateful for so many things:
How God has taken me and my family through one of the hardest thing I have been through and made a beautiful picture out of the broken pieces. I am thankful for God’s saving grace. I am grateful for the ways God provides for me to grow (the Bible, other believers, and so forth). The Holy Spirit to guide and comfort.
I am also grateful for my wife and seeing her grow spiritually and seeing God use her ministry wise (afterthemiracle.com). I am grateful for my kids and for how well they have adjusted to all the changes this summer. My son is student of the month and my daughter is on the honor roll.
Just another funny thing – I also preached on the 10 lepers yesterday. We are too alike!
Thanks for the post and have a great day!
Thanks for sharing those Jim. It is good to see my daily prayer for your family is being answered in so many different ways. One of these days we will have to meet and compare notes. I think you have been copying from me.
Or is it the other way around? Thanks for stopping by and you have a great day too!!