Sunday, November 15, 2020

 

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 an early frost-coat sleet.

The grove I walk in magnificence,
itself, aligns to praise;
glory, admiration, one can sense,
even stones will cry the difference—
highest name iced branches raise.

I kneel at the altar by the brook,
in the lofty, high cathedral,
and thank our Lord for the path He took.
On destruction, I will never look—
mercy blood atoned for all.

In stalwart groves, by icy streams,
in woods that lift His name,
great honor is to Him who deems
creation, in all reverent themes,
and a kingdom to proclaim.


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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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 self-centeredness. Counting blessings keeps focus on what God has done for us. Keeping a heart in a right relationship with God helps lessen 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

God restores 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

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 what God has clarified 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

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Psalm 52:9

Happy Thanksgiving to you! And may you enjoy reigning peace because of your patience.

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