Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 114: 1

If you are asked today to name something specific you are thankful for, how would you respond? Do you have a list or would you have trouble coming up with a list?

If we will take the time, I am sure that each of us has much to be grateful for this day. When I think of making a list, I am reminded of page 309 in the hymn book I sang from growing up, “Count Your Blessings.”

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

For many of us it has been a tumultuous (two) year(s). There are personal conflicts and broken relationships. There is financial loss and disease. These are “life’s billows” that discourage us, and at times, we may think that “all is lost” in the moment. It isn’t.

Take a couple of minutes to read through all of Psalm 118 and you’ll find conflict and assurance of deliverance, the value of trusting in God instead of being fearful of others, a growing trust in God in our circumstances, and coming full circle to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: for his steadfast love endures forever ( v. 29).

Psalm 118: 24 reminds me of another song we sang in my Dad’s church –

This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is a good day to prepare a list of blessings and remember the source of each of life’s blessings.