A Season for Humble Gratitude, Part 2
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Sometimes it can be a challenge to give God daily praise, even when we possess the knowledge of His love and faithfulness. If you find yourself in this situation, the Psalms are often a great source to get you back on track.
Psalm 116 is an extraordinary expression of love—addressed to God. “How do I love Thee, God?” It reminds me of Browning’s poem: “Let Me Count the Ways.”
In counting the ways, the psalmist sets forth several magnificent truths about God’s goodness and deliverance.
I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my pleas.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
The snares of death encompassed me
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
Then I called upon the name of the LORD:
“Please, LORD, save my life!”
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
The LORD watches over the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul,
For the LORD has dealt generously with you. (Psalm 116:1–7 NASB)
How do we love our God? We love Him by counting the many ways He has been good to us and, as the psalmist did, by sharing His goodness with others.
What does God desire? Our humble thanks. Our heartfelt gratitude. He wants us to be hungry for life, to treasure every day He entrusts to us.
When you have a quiet moment, read the entire 116th Psalm, and pause several times to express your own heart of gratitude to our loving Lord.
Let the wonder of the season wash over you again. God loves you and me with every bit of His heart, to the extent that He gave us the very best gift: life, wrapped up in the form of His one and only Son. It’s this life—the abundant life—that Jesus promised.
Let’s be humbly grateful.
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About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
