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Before You Receive God's Gifts

by Larry Armstrong  
3/19/2010 / Devotionals

Before You Receive God's Gifts
Larry L. Armstrong

READ: Isaiah 43:16-24

When I came home from work, I looked toward the lower end of our yard. In spring, it's always wet, almost a swimming pool. Water from a week's rain and melting snow had created a puddle fifteen feet wide and several inches deep. The water bothered me, but not the flock of grackles splashing and dipping happily in it! The birds were filled with ecstasy because of the cold water God provided them.

The sight made me pause, watch and enjoy this early spring vision. God is good to all his creatures, but we humans who rush madly through our scheduled meetings and special activities often miss the delight of simply being part of what God made. I need to learn how to acknowledge the Lord's gifts in a better way.

The prophet Isaiah must have seen nature's happiness at some time, too. He wrote this about a similar observation of God's providence toward those he fashioned:

The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Isaiah 43:20-21 (NIV)

Isn't it typical of us busy people? We accept the water in the desert, the greening of the earth, and the Lord's countless other gifts. We use them but neglect to rejoice in them. At least, the wild animals I saw were honoring their Creator.

Do you say grace before eating? Do you mean what you say? Or do you simply repeat a formula you learned or concocted years ago? Pause before you receive food or any of the Master's blessings. Think about what they are, how you received them, and why he granted them to you. Then express your gratitude.

APPLICATION IDEA: Go about your day as usual, but stop to observe something in nature. How does the squirrel rejoice in God's gracious care? How does the leaf reflect the Creator's glory?

PRAYER: Maker of heaven and earth, teach me to see how other parts of your creation praise you. Then help me to do the same. Amen.

Copyright (c) 2010 by Larry L. Armstrong

Larry L. Armstrong is author of Patience: Harvesting the Spirit's Fruit and other books and ebooks. He's pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Jeannette, PA as well as a speaker for FaithProbe seminars. Find out more at www.FaithProbe.com.

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