At All Times
It should be no surprise that the average American is exposed to hundreds of ads daily from phone apps, websites, radio stations, television, billboards, etc. The reality is that from a young age, we are conditioned to consume. A survey done in October revealed that over 60% of consumers are planning to do their holiday shopping on Black Friday. While not official, it's safe to say that Black Friday has become America's favorite "holiday." On Thanksgiving, we quickly tip our hats to God, taking a meager glance at the blessings we have already received. Yet, once we feel we have paid enough lip service, we immediately cast our eyes on bigger and better things. How easy it is to set our hearts on the possessions of this life that we lose sight of the promises of the life to come!
In Psalms 34:1, David declared, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” How often do words like "blessed," "thankful," or "undeserving" pass our lips from day to day? If we are honest with ourselves, the phrase "I wish I had" probably inhabits our conversations more than "I'm thankful for." David not only made a commitment to praise God continually, but he also longed for others to join in the anthem of thanksgiving. In verse 3, he writes, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Truly, one who bears the testimony of a thankful heart will also be a witness to the gospel. Though our aim is to please the Father alone, our hearts should not be content with leading a solo of praise. Instead, we should desire that souls all around us become part of the grace-filled chorus we now sing.
There was a reason David was so intent on glorifying God and wanting others to do the same. Verse 8 states, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” His life overflowed with joy and praise because he had experienced the glorious presence of God. Many Christians are not truly thankful because it has been too long since they have tasted and seen God's goodness. Covetousness has blinded their eyes to eternal matters, and pride has stifled their hunger for knowing God. They do not find time to sit at His feet in prayer and adoration. It has been far too long since they nourished themselves with God’s blessed Word or sought to know Christ from day to day. They are too busy nibbling on the morsels of empty religion to realize that there is a banquet of blessings waiting for them at the table of communion with Christ! May we learn that to truly praise Him, we must first seek our satisfaction in Him alone.
