Today’s reading is Psalm 47. It is impossible for me to read the first verse without singing an old church song in my head.
“Clap your hands all ye people,
shout unto God with a voice of triumph! clap your hands all ye people,
shout unto God with a voice of praise! Hosanna! Hosanna!
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph! Praise Him, Praise Him!
Shout unto God with a voice of Praise!”
This was a song we sang at church when we were young. It was more about going faster and faster each time and I think there were hand motions involved. I hope some of you are singing it now.
I was feeling very thankful and even hopeful today as I walked in 52-degree weather and sunshine! So much has happened in the past few weeks as we continue to move closer to a sense of normalcy in the midst of this pandemic. School is moving forward, our kids are playing sports, vaccinations are rolling out, cases are down, and the sun is shining! I haven’t felt hopeful for a while so today was a welcome change. While I want things to continue in a positive direction I am also very aware that they could change in an instant. My prayer is that I will remember that my hope is not based on anything in this world, but on Jesus Christ. If my hope is based on the trajectory of this pandemic or anything of this world, I will likely suffer disappointment. God is my hope and my constant. For this I am so thankful! The things of this world will fade, but He remains.
How do you express your thankfulness to God? Regardless of how you express your thankfulness, God will receive it. He knows where you have been and where you are going. He knows the struggles you will have tomorrow and next week. Nothing escapes Him. He is worthy of our praise!
Today, thank God for all the ways He has shown up for you in the past year. My list started yesterday with the sunshine and I was amazed at all the things He brought to my mind.
Psalm 47:7 “For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm!”.
Shelly Thomas