Thirsty for Thankfulness: Day #13

        Thirsty for Thankfulness: Day #13

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.    And what does the Lord require of you?              To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~Micah 6:8

How is humbleness connected with thanksgiving? When we are too full of pride, we are not willing to give credit (or thanksgiving) to whom it is actually due. 

We need to consider our words and our thoughts more carefully. The last good thing that happened to us--was it a blessing from our Heavenly Father--or was it luck?--or did we assign all of the credit for the situation to ourselves?

Our routine: 
  • Sit down together. 
  • Enjoy the cup of blessing that can be provided by a good dose of Scripture. 
  • Stay and linger with our Creator as we reflect on our blessings as revealed in the words we read each day. 
  • Close with words of prayer to help deepen our relationship with Almighty God.
Scripture: 

Daniel 2:19-23; 26-28
Background: Daniel is a captive in Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar, the current ruler, has been troubled with dreams; he decrees that not only must someone interpret the dream, but he must also do so without being told the actual contents of the dream. He then also adds that if this isn't accomplished, the wise men will all be executed. 

"During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: 
'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; 
wisdom and power are his. 
He changes times and seasons; 
he sets up kings and deposes them. 
He gives wisdom to the wise 
and knowledge to the discerning. 
He reveals deep and hidden things; 
he knows what lies in darkness, 
and light dwells with him. 
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power, 
you have made known to me what we asked of you, 
you have made known to us the dream of the king.'

The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), 'Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?'
Daniel replied, 'No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries...'"

John 3:30
"He must become greater; I must become less." (John the Baptist speaking about Jesus)

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways acknowledge him, 
and he will make your paths straight."

Reflection: 

"Walk humbly..." "...there is a God in heaven..." 

"...he must become greater..." "...in all your ways acknowledge him..."

Powerful words. Powerful thoughts. Each of them help us to remember to put God in God's rightful place, as ruler of our hearts and minds. Put God first.
Prayer:
Almighty God, forgive us. We have tried over and over again to put ourselves first. We have falsely given ourselves credit for much of the good in our lives. Help us to recognize the works and blessings that You place in our lives. We truly don't mean to be so thoughtless. O Lord, help us to live humbly and to glorify You with our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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