I’ve encountered the conversations and so have you; both the negative and the positive – the griping and the grateful! Some are just “piling up complaints” episodes (a real downer that leaves everyone is a terrible mood) – others are characterized by the words of the old gospel song, “Count your many blessing”! Perhaps we need to do more than count them though… (although counting them is a good start)! How about “considering them” – or even “celebrating them”!!
My Bible reading today during “coffee with the Lord” brought me to Psalm 136, categorized as a “salvation history song” (in other words it is a psalm that God’s ancient people used to recall and rehearse God provision, protection and powerful saving acts on their behalf). Many scholars believe it was sung antiphonally by two choirs (one would sing out one of the blessings and provision of the Lord, the other would respond with the repeated grateful echo… “His steadfast love [“hesed” – Hebrew] endures forever!” (You’ll have to read the entire Psalm to capture the effect… I’ll give you a taste…
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
To him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever…
“He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
And freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever. “
(From Psalm 136 NIV)
I’ve had enough of “piling up gripe” sessions… INSTEAD I’D LIKE TO INSTIGATE SOME “COUNT… CONSIDER… CELEBRATE YOUR MANY BLESSINGS” CONVERSATIONS, wouldn’t you?!
Coffee With The Lord 