Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is that time of year when we hear lots of advice to be thankful and to ‘count your blessings.’ We see the cute Pinterest ideas that show ways to be grateful and to keep track of the blessings we have received. All these things are good. We should be grateful. We should remember the blessings God has given us. But sometimes it is H.A.R.D.

Psalm 69:30 taken out of context seems to be one of those platitude verses to be thankful,

“I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

But if you look at this verse in context, you will see that David was just like us. He was in the midst of some really hard stuff.

^“1 Save me, O God,
    for the waters have come up to my neck.”
² I sink in the miry depths,
    where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
    the floods engulf me.
³ I am worn out calling for help;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
    looking for my God.”

Does this sound like something you can relate to? We sure can.

David may not have been going through exactly the same struggles that we are, but he knew the anguish when we feel like we are drowning. When we are tired and not sure if God is even listening.

And yet…

^“29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
    may your salvation, God, protect me.

³⁰ I will praise God’s name in song
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.”

So this season of thankfulness and gratitude we hope you can find something to be thankful for, even if you are in the midst of the really hard.