Reflections (by J Kim)
"Lord, it is good to give thanks to you."
Displaying an attitude of gratitude. Sending
a thank-you note. Saying your "please
and thank you’s.” Such are lessons we
teach our children as we train them in
what is socially proper. If only we would
spend as much time considering what is
proper in the spiritual sense.
God our Creator is all-deserving and worthy
of our praise. A well-known prayer guide
pinpoints five essential elements of prayer.
Adoration, Confession, Petition, and
Intercession, are ALWAYS followed by
Thanksgiving. Psalm 92:1 is often quoted
in support: "It is good to give thanks to the
Lord, to sing praise to your name, Most High."
Also to be noted is the use of the word "sing" in that first verse.
The Lord loves to hear our voices in song. Thus, hymns of any
sort are an integral part of worship. Something about singing
focuses our hearts on Jesus and softens his heart to accept
our prayerful pleas.
Our Abba Father gives us our days in 24 hour increments.
Could we handle any more? His grace is enough for each day;
the psalmist writes, "It is good to proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night."
The cedar of Lebanon is a mighty and beautiful tree referenced
throughout Scripture. A small cedar shoot is replanted and
compared to a "majestic cedar" as it grows strong
with its roots firmly planted.
The Psalm says,
“The just one shall flourish, like a cedar of
Lebanon shall he grow."
Later, the psalmist writes, "They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be." Living in a righteous manner,
with the foundations of our beliefs firmly rooted, we too are called
to have the strength and fruitfulness of the cedar, even unto the
very end of our earthly lives.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. "Lord, you are holy indeed. It is right to give you thanks and praise."
These are familiar words to any Mass-goer. How do you sincerely give thanks
to the Lord in your daily life?
2. How can you become more like the upright palm tree or the majestic and
firmly-rooted Lebanese cedar? Do others see you as a just and righteous person
through your everyday speech and actions? What can you change about
yourself so that you, too, can "bear fruit even in old age?"
It is a privilege that we are admitted to praise the Lord, and hope to be accepted in the morning, and every night. Let us give thanks every morning for the mercies of the night, and every night for the mercies of the day; going out, and coming in, let us bless God.
ReplyDeleteGod sometimes grants prosperity to wicked men in displeasure; yet they flourish but for a moment. Let us seek for ourselves the salvation and grace of the Gospel, that being daily anointed by the Holy Spirit, we may behold and share the Lord’s glory. It is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that we receive all the virtue that keeps us alive, and makes us fruitful. Other trees, when old, leave off bearing, but in God's trees the strength of grace does not fail with the strength of nature.
Once again the psalmist reminds me of how great God’s work is and how profound His thought is. I do not understand fully about the depth of God's love and faithfulness toward us. But our psalmist says that God will destroy his enemies forever. Eventually evil doers will perish and be scattered.
ReplyDeleteThat’s why the psalmist sings for joy at the works of God’s hand by proclaiming,
" You are worthy of our praise and You will be exalted forever.”
The psalmist expresses his gratitude to God. I often give thanks for God’s protection from the snares of evil and for the provision of daily food. His abundant blessings on me are reason to praise God with thanksgiving. He sustains my life.
The palmist says the righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. The psalmist indicates that believers who are upright, strong like a palm tree, live a long life because they put their faith firmly in God. Thus so will they have strength and vitality even in their old age.
And also a devoted believer can produce spiritual fruit even though they are old outwardly. They have a fresh outlook with positive, humble love, a thankful heart to God. These believers challenge me to new heights of spiritual growth like the palms, tall and strong, rooted firmly in God, and then they will stay fresh and green.
I want to be a devoted, strong believer, serving God, rooted in Him even unto the very end of my earthly life.