The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Gratitude Does the Heart Good"
"He Shall Hear My Voice"
(Psalm 55:17)
In my email box this morning, I received a message from a retail business that read, "Gratitude does the heart good." The note suggested, "Take a moment and let someone know you appreciate them."
That is a fine recommendation, so I'll take this moment to thank all of you who receive and read these devotionals. I am truly grateful to you, and even more, I am grateful to God for you. This leads me to ponder the many moments in which we do well to express our hearts to our Heavenly Father for "every good gift and every perfect gift" (James 1:17). Indeed, the email message this morning was absolutely correct. Gratitude does the heart good, beginning with our potential to do God's heart good.
"The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8).
What a wonder that human beings, so blessed by our Creator, also possess the capacity to bless Him. As an infinite, eternal, perfectly self sufficient being, He does not need our response. We nevertheless bring Him a particular and personal experience of joy He would not know if we did not raise our hearts and voices to Him. I think of this often when first arising each day. I may not feel particularly spiritual - don't! - and expressing my heart to God may be far from my thoughts. However, when I remember that regardless of how I feel, I possess through Christ the possibility of causing our Heavenly Father to feel blessedness, the desire arises to express myself to Him.
If my voice is sweet to you, Lord, as Your Word declares,
And if somehow You find delight in my prayers.
And if Your face You call me to seek, Lord,
Your face I will seek.
And my voice You will hear, my voice You will hear.
I suspect the business wants me to express my gratitude by purchasing one of their products to send to a family, member, friend, or colleague (I may just have to do that since the message led to this essay!). Be that as it may, they make a good point, and a point far more glorious than they likely know. Gratitude does the heart good. Gratitude does the heart of God good. Wondrous! And I do good to close this consideration so we may all express our praise and thanksgiving to the One who will receive it with joy. Wondrous indeed!
"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people."
(Psalm 149:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing."
(Job 12:9-10)
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