28 Days of Gratitude: Day 21
Scripture of the Day: “Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.” (Psalm 64:1 NIV)
These are the words of David. He complained that his enemies were secretly plotting against him and aiming to destroy him.
While there is no way to connect this psalm to a specific event in David’s life, it is clear that he wanted God to protect him from his wicked adversaries that were cooking up a surprise attack. In verses 3-6, David, who was greatly distressed, explained to God what tricks his rivals had up their sleeves.
But then, in verses 7-10, he switches gears and focuses on what God will do. He prophesies that God will stop the attack and cause the righteous to prevail.
There is something I find interesting about this psalm and others like it. The writer complains despite knowing that God will rescue, deliver, and give him the victory. On the one hand, David stresses over what the enemy is doing. Then, he turns around and proclaims the awesome things that God will do.
Have you ever done that? Despite having promises from God that it will be well with you in the future, have you gotten all worked up over an attack? Over an uncomfortable season? Over an unresolved issue? Over a hard task? Over a momentary inconvenience?
You are not the only one! Often, we let our chief enemy, Satan, toy with our minds. We allow the struggles of life to get the best of us. Before we know it, we are preoccupied with what is coming against us, and we ignore Who is for us.
SHOUT NOW
There is an old Walter Hawkins song that we used to sing in our church choir. It’s called, “When the Battle Is Over.”
The opening chorus says, “Don't wait 'til the battle is over to shout now.” Then it says, “You know in the end, you're gonna win.”
I used to love singing that when I was younger, but when I got older, I realized that singing those lyrics was far easier than living those lyrics. When things are going wrong, and the circumstances look bad, our natural inclination is to complain first, and praise later after everything works out.
Is that what you do? Or are you a “shout now” kind of person who gives God an advance praise? Are you a Psalm 34:1 Believer?
In this Scripture, David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
PRAISE NOW BY FAITH
I am a morning person. I enjoy the peacefulness of the early hours of the day while everyone else is sleeping. During this time, I pray, and I thank God for a new day. When I look outside my window, I see darkness. Still, I know that it’s only a matter of time before the sun rises and breaks through.
What if I waited for daybreak before thanking God for a new day? Why don’t I wait? It’s because I have faith that the sun will shine and provide evidence of what I already know.
Friend, faith and gratitude go together. If you want to live a life of gratefulness, in dark times, thank God for a new day before seeing any indication of daybreak. Praise now by faith!
In today’s featured psalm, after David got over his complaining phase, he began declaring the works of the Lord by faith before they manifested. In verses 7-10, he spoke about what he believed and not what he saw, and that’s when all the complaining in the psalm disappears.
Where faith and praise are, there is no room for complaining. When David pivoted and leaned into his faith, that is how he was able to declare that God would move mightily, and others would “proclaim the works of God” (v. 9).
If you have been less than grateful lately, imitate David, and shift your focus. Thank God for the victory that is to come, and praise Him by faith for a new day—even in the dark.
JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT
Today, reflect on 5 things that have worried you, stressed you, or made you feel like complaining recently. What are they?
Then, for each of those 5 things, write down one thing you are believing God to do in that situation, and thank Him for it by faith.
Now, let’s pray.
God, Your word says that the righteous shall live by faith. I don’t always view my circumstances through eyes of faith, and that opens me up to doubt, worry, fear, and complaining. Please help me to trust You more and be thankful for what You have already done in the past, what You are doing in the present, and what You will do in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
What Is the 28 Days of Gratitude Series Based On?
This gratitude series is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT, which says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
In my time spent with the Lord, He dealt with me about how we have a tendency to focus on our issues, problems, challenges, and difficulties, but we are not necessarily intentional about focusing on His goodness. Failing to meditate on His works forces us into a cycle of complaining and blinds us to the amazing ways He reveals Himself on a daily basis. In all circumstances, let us be more grateful.
What do I need to participate?
To participate in this series, you will need a notebook and a journal, because it requires writing some things down. In whatever journal you choose—and it doesn’t need to be anything fancy—daily, you will write down the Scripture of the day.
The featured verse will highlight a complaint from the Bible to help you see that, throughout history, others have struggled just as you do. Yet, God desires that we be grateful. In your journal, I would ask that you write the verse you see featured on the Daily Cup blog each morning, then jot down 5 things for which you are grateful.
5 is the number of grace, so you will be focusing on the grace of God and how His mercy has been evident in your life, even during rough times. At the end of each post, 5 suggested thing to write about are listed.
