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Written by Sparky Pritchard Thursday, 26 November 2009 07:25

The 66^th Psalm is a song of thanksgiving in the aftermath of hard times.  The author writes of all the “tests” and “trials” that God’s people have endured, but affirms that God has been faithful and has brought them through the “tight spots” and into “a place of abundance.”  Listen to his offering of praise.

“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance” (Psalm 66:8-12, ESV).

Never lose sight of God’s blessings in the shadows of each day’s burdens.  There is always reason to praise.  And a grateful heart is always lighter than a critical spirit.

Gregory Jantz tells this great story:  “A party of pioneers on the Oregon Trail suffered for weeks from a scarcity of water and grass for their animals.  Most of the wagons had broken down, causing endless delays in the stifling heat.  A feeling of fretfulness and futility prevailed. Optimism and cheer were gone.  Courage was in limited supply.

“One night the leaders called a meeting to air complaints.  When they gathered around the campfire, one man stood up and said, ‘Before we commence our grief session, don’t you think we should at least first thank God that he has brought us this far with no loss of life, with no serious trouble from the Indians, and that we have enough strength left to finish our journey?’

“The other settlers agreed.  After the brief prayer, all that could be heard was the cries of a distant pack of wolves.  There was otherwise stone silence around the campfire, because no one had any grievances they felt were important enough to voice.

“They suddenly realized if they couldn’t be satisfied with what they’d received, they could at least be thankful for what they’d escaped.  Thankfulness enabled them to see the mercies of God they had been overlooking” (Gregory L. Jantz, Becoming Strong Again, Baker, 1998).

Regardless of what this “old” year has brought into your life, look back and rejoice in how God has brought new grace and mercy for each day.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Thank God for His faithfulness to His people.