If you read this particular Psalm, you will see that it repeats the second part of this verse, "For His mercy endures forever", after each and every verse, all 26 of them, in fact!...I think the Psalmist is trying to make a point...read it through and see what you think! If you don't learn any other thing from this Psalm, you will definitely learn that the mercy of the Lord endures forever! And that is a good thing to know when you are going through deep water, difficult times, health issues, financial crisis, loss of loved one or impending loss of a loved one, governmental concerns, etc., etc., etc., no matter WHAT you are going through, it is good to know and believe and experience the fact that the mercy of the Lord endures forever, and for THAT, we should always "give thanks".
This past week (2012) I have been a little quieter than usual. Maybe you hadn't even noticed...but it's true. A week ago I had some dental work done, and in the process my tongue was injured. Not seriously, but enough to make it extremely sore and painful, whenever I eat and even when I talk too much. (Which for me, is always). I never realized how much I took my tongue for granted until it became so difficult to do the normal things I enjoy doing...like eating and talking. With the big Thanksgiving Dinner coming up in the very near future, I am anxious for my tongue to be healed. I've thought about how awful it would be to never have a normal tongue...not only would it be extremely difficult for me to eat like a normal person, but I also would not be able to communicate in a way that others would understand or appreciate. Not that others always enjoy my communication that much, but what if I could never talk normally again...or sing praises to the Lord with my heart AND voice? I know that I would be very sad. Perhaps some others who know me and love me might be a bit saddened by that as well.
So today I am taking this opportunity to thank the Lord for my tongue. I thank Him for the many ways He has used my tongue to sing praises to Him throughout my lifetime, and to share His love and words with many. I know that I have not always used my tongue for these holy and beautiful purposes. There have been many words that I wish I had never spoken, and things that I have said that have brought pain to others. I have been known to speak without thinking many times, and then living to regret my foolishness. I am truly sorry for those words spoken in haste or in anger or in denial of my own guilt. Thankfully, the mercy of the Lord endures forever, and He has already forgiven and forgotten these broken promises and regrettable lapses of good judgment, and His mercy has already covered all my sin and folly.
During this week of remembrance of God's mercy and blessings, I list my tongue at the top of the list. This is only the beginning. There is much more to follow. But for today, this will do.
Thank you, Lord, for my tongue, my voice, my ability to communicate. May my words only bring hope and encouragement and comfort to others within my sphere of influence, and may You, Oh Lord, be glorified in all I say or do.
To quote one of my old favorite hymns: ("Take My Life, and Let It Be", by Frances R. Havergal) verse 3:
Amen.
A few fall pictures from our "neck of the woods" today 11/18/2017:
11/18/2017
Two roses blooming in the midst of the decaying leaves..."Beauty for Ashes" perhaps?
New Life springing out of the old?
Praise God for His gift of new life!!
Yes, the autumn leaves are falling, even here in sunny Florida,
where it was 47 degrees this morning!
Have a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!
Your post here, Pamela, reminded me that we can take so much for granted until something goes wrong, as in having a sore tongue (so glad it healed!) and in my case, having a chronically sore right shoulder. Too much time on the computer using the mouse? Probably. But I'm going to thank God even in the pain - His love endures forever!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, and Happy Thanksgiving once again!
Praying your sore shoulder heals soon. I know how uncomfortable that can be. Yes, computer use can do it. My neck tends to get that way...tension adds to the equation as well. Yes, let us thank God even in the midst of the pain...because His love and mercy does endure forever...and He brings healing in due time. So thankful.
DeleteThank you for this post, Pam. I too have a problem with my words spoken in haste or anger way too many times. This post is a gentle reminder to me to pay more attention in the future. Thank God that His love for us & His mercies endure forever! Your post has been a blessing to me today...thank you again. Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family! God bless you all!
ReplyDeleteAmen! So thankful for God's mercy and love...and that it is everlasting! In this day of disposable relationships and things, it is wonderful to know that God's love is a constant...never changing...always enduring no matter what! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!!
DeleteI'm glad your tongue healed and I am thankful for mine, too, after reading all the reasons we should be!! Love the photos (always!).
ReplyDeleteGasp! That red cardinal?
ReplyDeleteOops...that was supposed to be a ! not a ?
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