Note to Self... Be Happy and Thankful
“That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.”
Even King David, in his humanness, might have found argument with God’s “Kingdom logic” and, at times, with what I refer to as the beautiful and powerful “contrarianism of heaven.” But David had a secret weapon…a heart for God that empowered the Lord’s passion within him. This empowerment followed him through life whenever he enlisted the Lord’s spiritual armies, and thereby derived unwavering and supernatural powers from on high.
David not only accessed God’s favor numerous times throughout his life (which served him and God’s people well), he also understood the simple mechanics behind the principles. Such was embodied in the context of what is commonly known as “The Beatitudes.” (If you are obedient and dedicatory in upholding God’s unmistakable will, He will likewise deliver on every one of His promises.)
On various occasions, David knew the beauty and simplicity of his walk with the ‘God of Israel’ by whose authority he thrived. But his actions were not only intended to garner a reciprocal response…for David truly loved God and His laws, faithfully seeking the Almighty’s heart while humbly lamenting any grievances upon Him.
David remembered the day his five stones stood between him and the “giant” in the valley. As a result, he had fallen Goliath – one of the many victories proving and validating his kingship…all reasonable assumptions. However, King David’s most powerful “symbolic shield” was in offering his unending and unyielding praise and thanksgiving to a worthy God, even in the face of sheer contradiction while standing against the enemies of Israel.
David’s faith in the assurance of his battles (similar “Goliath” experiences) gave him confidence in the Creator whom he served. Meanwhile, God’s truth was marching on, and all because a shepherd boy – also a nation’s coming king – acknowledged the Lord’s sovereignty and expressed “thank you.”
So now, during this period of Thanksgiving, let us remember that David’s God is the same Omnipotent One to whom we too must proclaim gratitude – knowing that He will lavish upon each of His children the honor and privilege of an heir, as He had so lovingly done for His servant David and later for His Son Jesus.
Consider our lowliness and desperation for a Savior, and then take into account God’s worthiness to alone receive our worship and praise…and thankfulness upon which promise He will surely deliver His goodness! Our worship to God has a historical reference, as exemplified in the life and faithfulness of our dear Christian brother, William Tyndale, a martyr of the 16th-century church.
Born in 1494, Tyndale, a brilliant scholar educated at Oxford and Cambridge universities, loved God and was a conscientious student of the Scriptures. His life had been irreversibly transformed by the power of the Word. As he lived in a dark era of England’s history, when the Bible was quarantined and held captive by the theological aristocracy of the day, Tyndale longed for the power of the Word to be freed through its translation to English, and subsequent distribution, so that his countrymen could share in its transformative power and life-giving truth.
Having been betrayed by a friend, King Henry VIII had Tyndale imprisoned. One year later, after refusing to admit any guilt, William Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake. Reportedly, his last words were prophetically expressed in this prayer: “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” God answered Tyndale’s prayer. Two years later, King Henry decreed that the Holy Scriptures should be made available to all people in every parish throughout the land. We stand today as a body of believers who are thankful for the faithfulness of William Tyndale, among many other martyrs, such as Richard Wurmbrand, and for the fulfilled promises of God who honors such unwavering faithfulness.
“The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven.’
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven.’
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
- Doug
