O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 106:1 

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 

Oh What a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day! Lovely song from Oklahoma. I listen to Ray Charles sing it many Sunday mornings at 9 AM. There is a gospel music program on the radio from 6-9, called a Little Taste of Heaven that I start Sunday with, and they often begin the next part of the morning with this song.

That is how we can greet every morning – great ones like we see yesterday and today, not so nice ones that start with storms and dark clouds, and everything in between. There are days when this is really hard to do. There are situations where many people are affected by massive flooding, hurricanes, drought and war where this would be very difficult. Yet we read about people that in the midst of awfulness still greet the day with hope and joy. Their house may be destroyed, and yet they express thankfulness for their survival with whatever they have managed to save.

The psalmist reminds us that we give thanks to the Lord for His love and care for us. This love endures forever, not a lifetime, not a one thousand years, but forever. As Paul writes, we can express our joy and thankfulness in every thing we do. Our words and our deeds can testify to the love of God through Jesus Christ.

The hymn Great is thy faithfulness expresses this well:

Verse two

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness mercy and love.

Creator God, the landscape and people around us are evidence of your power and majesty. When considering your all-encompassing love, we can’t help but enter this day praising your holy name. Let us begin each day with gratitude, naming you as the source of our thanks. Enable each day’s thoughts and actions to be an expression of gratitude. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party