We often struggle with discouragement and see the dark side of things, but we know it is unhealthy, maybe even a sin. It is easy for us to get in a blue mood and count our sorrows instead of our blessings. Where can we get encouragement?
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:11-12, NIV.
I WILL
This Chapter of the Bible, Psalm 77, starts as a deep echo to self-pity and woe. It has words like "cried out, distress, faint, troubled, reject," and phrases like "my soul refused to be comforted," and "I was too troubled to speak." It starts dark and full of emotional misery but takes a turn halfway through where the psalmist declares "I will..." three times. He resolves to redirect the subjects of his thoughts.
He vows to:
To remember something takes effort and to meditate on a thing is mental work. We must be willing to give time to this practice, and we must be disciplined in our thinking.
MEDITATE
This is directing our thoughts to the Lord. It is not just looking at the good things with gratitude, but looking at the greatness of God; the wonder of who He is, and what He has done. If we were to list the deeds of the Lord, his miracles, and mighty works we would need warehouses of paper, lakes of ink and lifetimes to write it all.
CONSIDER
You need to go no further than your garden, or feel the sun on your face, consider the engineering of the human hand to become overwhelmed with God's works and miracles. Just skimming a few chapters of the Bible will confront one with the mighty works of the All_mighty, Or ponder the miracle of the cross on which Jesus died for our sins and the power of the resurrection.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS PLUS
This is more than counting your blessings or trying to look on the bright side. To count your blessings every day is a good habit and leads to thankfulness, but take the time to meditate on God's works and wonders it is a good habit also and leads to worship.
Those who have come to God and received the miracle of salvation, through the blood of Jesus which cleanses from sin, can meditate that even we are becoming one of God's "mighty works."
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:11-12, NIV.
I WILL
This Chapter of the Bible, Psalm 77, starts as a deep echo to self-pity and woe. It has words like "cried out, distress, faint, troubled, reject," and phrases like "my soul refused to be comforted," and "I was too troubled to speak." It starts dark and full of emotional misery but takes a turn halfway through where the psalmist declares "I will..." three times. He resolves to redirect the subjects of his thoughts.
He vows to:
- Remember the deeds of the Lord.
- Remember God's miracles.
- Meditate on all God's works.
- And consider all God's mighty works.
To remember something takes effort and to meditate on a thing is mental work. We must be willing to give time to this practice, and we must be disciplined in our thinking.
MEDITATE
This is directing our thoughts to the Lord. It is not just looking at the good things with gratitude, but looking at the greatness of God; the wonder of who He is, and what He has done. If we were to list the deeds of the Lord, his miracles, and mighty works we would need warehouses of paper, lakes of ink and lifetimes to write it all.
CONSIDER
You need to go no further than your garden, or feel the sun on your face, consider the engineering of the human hand to become overwhelmed with God's works and miracles. Just skimming a few chapters of the Bible will confront one with the mighty works of the All_mighty, Or ponder the miracle of the cross on which Jesus died for our sins and the power of the resurrection.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS PLUS
This is more than counting your blessings or trying to look on the bright side. To count your blessings every day is a good habit and leads to thankfulness, but take the time to meditate on God's works and wonders it is a good habit also and leads to worship.
Those who have come to God and received the miracle of salvation, through the blood of Jesus which cleanses from sin, can meditate that even we are becoming one of God's "mighty works."
