Lent Devotion: Thanks.

Today's devotion is simple:  for what are you thankful?  Take a minute and really think about that.  Can you list ten things, twenty, fifty?  How about people that have shown you love and care?  Are there some from your past and present for which you give thanks?

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
    His faithful love continues forever.

2 Let the people of Israel say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”
3 Let the priests of Aaron say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”
4 Let those who have respect for the Lord say,
    “His faithful love continues forever.”

5 When I was in great pain, I cried out to the Lord.
    He answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid.
    What can mere men do to me?
7 The Lord is with me. He helps me.
    I will win the battle over my enemies.

8 It is better to go to the Lord for safety
    than to trust in mere men.
9 It is better to go to the Lord for safety
    than to trust in human leaders.

10 The nations were all around me.
    But by the Lord’s power I destroyed them.
11 They were around me on every side.
    But by the Lord’s power I destroyed them.
12 They attacked me like large numbers of bees.
    But they died out as quickly as burning thorns.
    By the Lord’s power I destroyed them.

13 I was pushed back. I was about to be killed.
    But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength. I sing about him.
    He has saved me.

15 Shouts of joy ring out in the tents of godly people.
    They praise him for his help in battle.
They shout, “The Lord’s powerful right hand has done mighty things!
16     The Lord’s powerful right hand has won the battle!
    The Lord’s powerful right hand has done mighty things!”

17 I will not die. I will live.
    I will talk about what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has really punished me.
    But he didn’t let me die.

19 Open the gates of the temple for me.
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord.
    Only those who do what is right can go through it.
21 Lord, I will give thanks to you, because you answered me.
    You have saved me.

22 The stone the builders didn’t accept
    has become the most important stone of all.
23 The Lord has done it.
    It is wonderful in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it on this day.
    Let us be joyful and glad in it.

25 Lord, save us.
    Lord, give us success.
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the temple of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God.
    He has made the light of his favor shine on us.
Take branches in your hands. Join in the march on the day of the feast.
    March up to the corners of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you.
    You are my God, and I will honor you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
    His faithful love continues forever.

You'll hear this Psalm again on Sunday if you join us for our Palm Sunday celebration.  What would it be like to stand on the side of the road as Jesus entered in on a donkey?  Would you wave palms and yell with excitement?  Would you be too afraid of the Pharisee's glares to join in?

I think it's easy to keep our thanksgivings to ourselves, to keep them inside, or even to forget to be thankful.  When is the last time you gave God thanks?  

Prayer:  God you are so good at blessing me, help me to count them.  Show me how to share gratitude with others, and to recognize the gift of relationship and community.  I want to be a blessing to You!  Amen.