December 2006

Say "Thank You, Lord"

"Bless the Lord Oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name ... and forget not all His benefits." Psalm 13:1,2

When I was in school, my teachers taught me (and a few others) a song which we had to sing for the Annual Day celebration. I still remember the words of that song and they go like this,

There are two little magic words, that can open little doors you meet
One little word is THANKS and the other little word is PLEASE
Oh you'll be so surprised what those two little words can do
They work like a charm for me and they work like a charm for you.

Now when you ask for butter, say "PLEASE pass the butter" ...
And when you get the butter ... say "THANKS" with a great big sunny smile.

Yes, every one of us have used these two words countless number of times in our interaction with people around us. But at this point I would like for you to look back and see how many times in your life you have said these two words to the One who created you and has blessed you thus far.

There's so many times, we go to the Lord in prayer simply to "ASK" Him for things we need, and sometimes even things we want (more than what we NEED). And many a time, when we ask, God gives, because He loves us so much, because we're His creation and His children. Now, the biggest question here is, when we get what we've asked God for, "How many times have we gone back to say THANK YOU to Him?"

I once heard a story that goes like this,
A man was once standing on the terrace of a tall building and was watching people walking on the road. He wanted people (who were walking on the road) to see him. So, in order to get people's attention towards him, he threw a 5 Rupee coin on the road. A guy on the road saw this 5 Rupee coin and quickly picked it up and kept walking. Then this man on the building, threw another 5 Rupee coin on the road, hoping to get people's attention. But another walked by and picked up that coin and kept moving on. No one paid attention to this man on the building. Then he threw another 5 Rupee coin, which fell exactly on the head of another man, and that person immediately looked up to see who threw this coin on his head".

Sometimes we also keep picking up the blessings which God gives us. We care less to look up to the giver of those blessings. But when trouble or hurt comes our way, we look up to Him and run to Him for help. But since this God whom we serve is Compassionate and Gracious, He keeps giving us all his benefits.

The book of Psalm chapter 103 gives an excellent picture of the generous, loving and caring heart of our God. Why do we need to say THANK You to Him? The bible says that we need to Bless His Name and THANK Him, because he forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from danger, crowns us with love and compassion and the list goes on. Please read thru Psalm 103.

My friend, even at this moment, as we're approaching the end of this year, let us look back and try to count the blessings God has showered on us thru His Son Jesus Christ. Everyday we went to bed and woke up in the morning, many of us have woken up hail and healthy - let us say THANK YOU, LORD for that. Everyday we went back home from school or work, the Lord kept us safe - say THANK YOU, LORD for that. Even now, as you're reading this message, thank the Lord for the breath in your nostrils by which you are alive and well.

May I encourage you to be ever grateful to our good God for all His benefits in your life and keep thanking Him for everything He's done for us.

Bless the Lord Oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name ... and forget not all His benefits.

Have a blessed day !!!

Your friend,
Eshcol