Devotional Reading: Psalm 148

Text: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God in the heights! (v. 1)

For several years the first thing that I do when I wake up in the morning is to lay in bed for a few minutes, collect my thoughts, and think about three things that I am thankful for; three things that bring me joy or make me smile. More often than not, they are people. Sometimes it is the breakfast that I’m going to eat or the cup of coffee or tea that I’m going to drink.  At the end of the day, when I go to bed I quietly say a rote prayer I learned in my childhood and recall three things that I accomplished or made me happy. I always try to fall asleep with a “happy” thought and a smile.

Today’s “Devotional Reading” is a morning Psalm but it is appropriate at any time of day.  It is a call to “be thankful.” It is easy for us to become consumed by the worries of the day, various problems that cropped up, and dealings with difficult people.  We can lose our perspective and forget that each day is a gift, and an unmerited gift at that. We can forget that God walked beside us throughout the day, and watches over us at night.

Beginning and ending the day with a moment of thanksgiving is the least that we can do to show our appreciation and even our love for the Creator of the Ends of the Earth and the Keeper of All Time.

Lord, put into me a thankful heart. Direct your Spirit to move me to begin and end each day with the spirit of gratitude. Amen.