The Great Gift of Gratitude - Beloved Women - December 29, 2023
READ: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28 ESV)
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: By all accounts, it has been a challenging year. The whispers of hope we heard months ago may feel like distant echoes. But if we hold onto our faith, those whispers remain divine promises we hold dear.
Hebrews 12:28 reminds me, no matter how unstable circumstances become, the kingdom of God cannot be shaken. The walls of His wisdom and strength will never come down. Even when my heart is broken, there are no cracks in the faithfulness of God.
We may see what God allows as a reason to question what He does. But a healthy respect for His Sovereignty is a reason to worship who He is.
The great gift of gratitude has a double meaning. It blesses the heart of God. He loves to hear the voice He gave us and appreciate the grace He gives us. But being grateful also blesses my heart. Even as I praise Him, it often becomes the pathway of discovering the next thing to praise God for.
If we’re still here, we’re still able to discover more of His grace. We are still in the hands of our Unshakable God.
PRAY: Dear God, Through faith in Christ, I’m secure in Your unshakable kingdom. Thank you for every grace You’ve given to me. Thank You for Your wisdom and power to help me live this life. I worship You with reverence and awe. May my praise and my life be acceptable worship -- for You will always be my Unshakable God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
REFLECT: How will being grateful ground you when life is uncertain?
CONNECT: Find more encouragement from Joy A. Williams at www.joyawilliams.com. Subscribe to joyAwilliams.com and receive a free PDF of “Say So Long to Sidetracked,” a biblical approach to overcoming distractions. It’s a great tool for personal study or to share with a group.
© 2020 by Joy A. Williams. All rights reserved.
For more Beloved encouragement including Daily Devotionals, practical advice for everyday Christian living, Bible Studies, and more be sure to visit us at www.belovedwomen.org.
Listen to Beloved Women's Founder & President on her new podcast, Teach Us to Pray!
