Many as we did started out in January 2016 with high hopes of a great year and future but this never came to be as many never made it beyond some months into the year.
We lost loved one's, friends and colleagues; properties and opportunities but as well God made us gain in so much several ways we have not though about.
Eyes to see and ears to hear the beautiful sounds will all long for.
A tongue to taste the ever delicious foods we eat at home and out; arms and legs to move and take hold off. Our kids, sisters, aunts, mother's and father's. Why we not thank God for "these" and much more we consider normal!
God in His infinite mercies had kept us despite the wicked will of Satan and his cohorts. We might have suffered pain in some few places but consider that without God who is always on our side, it could have been worse.
The Bible urges us to enter His courts with praise and His gates with thanksgiving: by this, God said He will still the enemy and the avenger - Psalm 8:1 - 9; 9:1 -14.
Why is it good to praise the Lord?
We are not to praise God out of a sign of duty or requirement. God made us living souls - free, intelligent and able to recreate what He has made. Is that enough reason to thank someone for?
He gave us life, despite the fact that SIN entered the world through Adam more so, life entered back into the world through Jesus the second Adam showing God's true intent and love towards all mankind.
Your children look like you and no other. This is a free gift that God gave us to create our own world around us according to, and within the confines of His will.
God never forces us to do anything and indeed this is love in action. He paid by Himself to prove that he cares for us and wants us ever with Him.
Praising and thanking God should never be an act of compulsion or duty, rather it has flow outwards towards God from the very depth of our souls.
When we truly appreciate Him and thank Him for who He His to us and to our loved ones' we will by His Spirit in us praise Him in thanksgiving for all.
I close with this scripture, a prayer and praise to God for what He will do when we thank Him:
Psalm 67King James Version (KJV)
1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
