The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22, 23 RSV
Charles Kingsley, nineteenth-century English clergyman and novelist wrote; "If you wish to be miserable, you must think about yourself; about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay you, and then to you nothing will be pure. You will spoil everything you touch; you will make sin and misery out of everything God sends you. You can be as wretched as you choose."
The antidote for being miserable and selfish is to concentrate on the Lord and His mercies. The easiest way to forget our own difficulties and troubles is to praise God and be thankful. Let the blessings of every new day awaken praise in your heart, for these are the tokens of His loving care. When you open your eyes in the morning thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon, and night let gratitude like sweet perfume arise from your lips to Heaven.
Our text today if concentrated on, believed, and acted upon will keep many a person out of a psychiatric ward. If we think about god's goodness, faithfulness, and steadfast love how can we be depressed? Jeremiah did not claim to be a psychologist or psychiatrist, but he knew the needs of the human soul. He knew that trust in the Lord is basic to peace.
Jeremiah continued his praise of God by saying, "The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord" (Lamentations 3:24-26 RSV)
Oh, why doesn't the human race sense the goodness of God more? Why don't we fasten our attention upon the positive side of life? Every time we attend Sabbath services we sing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Let's sing this song every day and mean it! God is so good!
taken from: First Things First
August 31
by: Bob Spangler
