Woodland Praise

Through tall pine trees, the sunshine pours

on the ground beneath my feet,

raising gateways and old ancient doors

as the woodland sings whom it adores—

in its earthy church mode sweet.

The grove I walk in magnificence,

itself, will align to praise;

glory, admiration, one can sense,

even stones will cry the difference—

highest name the iced boughs raise.

I will kneel at the altar by the brook,

in the lofty, high cathedral,

praying praises for the path Christ took.

On destruction, we will never look—

mercy blood atoned for all.

Oh, to walk where our Creator deems

in the woods that lift His name.

From stalwart groves to the mirthful streams,

the woodland realm, in reflection, gleams—

thankfulness for all exclaim.

By him therefore let us offer

the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips

giving thanks to his name.

But to do good and to communicate forget not:

for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16

WOODLAND PRAISE

For me, God’s faithfulness is revealed when the sun shines through the trees. The trees themselves serve as steadfast reminders that God knows who is thankful. Prayerful praise lifted to Heaven is noted by God, the Great Mathematician, who counts, records and documents everything.

Look at the time when Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate, went into a village and met ten men who had leprosy. The lepers stood afar off and lifted their voices to Jesus saying, “Master, have mercy on us”. Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. On their way, they were cleansed. When one of them saw that he was healed, he turned back and glorified God with a loud voice. He fell down on his face at the feet of Jesus, giving thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten
cleansed? but where are the nine? There are
not found that returned to give glory to God,
save this stranger.
Luke 17: 17-18

When walking through the woods, I might hear God speaking a little clearer. It might be the place where one can come to her senses and ask for mercy. Jesus knows who asks for mercy and who gives thanks. Our Creator never misses expressions of need and thanks given by any person, small or great, across all time.

O give thanks unto the LORD;
for he is good:
because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 118:1

And

Give thanks unto the LORD,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the people,
Sing unto him,
sing psalms unto him,
talk ye of all his wondrous works.
1 Chronicles 16:8-9

Maintaining a attitude of gratitude helps ward off arrogance and self-centeredness. Counting blessings keeps focus on what God has done for us. Keeping a heart in a right relationship with God helps lessen bitterness and discouragement. And praising God even amidst turmoil is diversion therapy.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising the thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: then that house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
2 Chronicles 5:13-14

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Psalm 138:2

Benefits that come from God include goodness, mercy, lovingkindness, truth, endurance and power. Go to the woods of prayer to get recharged, renewed and restored. He restoreth our soul. He keeps track of our reliance, our requests for help, our need, our thanks, our praise. Live to make for yourself a great tally sheet.

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
Revelation 11:17

There is much to be thankful for. There are appreciations to express. Complainers complain. But didn’t Paul say something along the lines of learning to be content in all things? Prayer with thanksgiving can restore contentment.  

Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6

God, The Great Mathematician, also keeps track of people who don’t give thanks. An ungrateful heart can lead to God giving people up (Romans 1:24, 26 and 28), something we wouldn’t want to happen.

Because that, when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21

Be in practice of gratefulness. Prayer gets our mind off of ourselves and onto to source, God. When Jesus was entering Jerusalem and people were calling out 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!', the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus to rebuke his disciples. And his reply was:

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet,
the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40

‘But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased.’ Go for the thing God has clarified that pleases Him: doing good and praying. Live for Jesus, wanting to hear “Well done, my good and faithful servant” from Jesus when you cross Heaven’s finishing line because you gave thanks. Act knowing God doesn’t forget the labor of love you have shown toward His name.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Happy Thanksgiving to you! Like iron sharpens iron, thanks-givers encourage thanksgiving. Gather with thanks-givers. And may you enjoy the outcome of it…the reign of peace.