RISING UP TO GIVE THANKS
Psalm 119 was written as a tribute to God’s Word. Written as an acrostic poem based on the Hebrew alphabet, the psalmist described the many ways he was thankful for God’s righteous law. His thoughts concerning God’s revealed Word were so wonderful that he arose at a time when most were asleep to give thanks to Him.
Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night and then couldn’t go back to sleep because your mind just wouldn’t turn off? You toss and turn, but sleep won’t come? Try getting out of the bed and reading God’s Word and praying. Sometimes the Lord wants to speak to us and the only way to get our full attention is to wake us up while everyone else is asleep.
Remember how God first spoke to the young prophet Samuel during the night? He was awakened by the Lord multiple times before he finally answered, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:10). And the Lord spoke to him, revealing His Word to Samuel. Remember also how the Lord Jesus rose up a great while before day, and went out into a solitary place and prayed (Mark 1:35); and on another occasion He continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).
There’s something about seeking the Lord during the quiet of the night that really focuses the mind and the heart on Him. I guess that’s why He woke me up hours before sunrise this Thanksgiving Day morning. He wanted me up and giving thanks long before the busyness of the day could begin.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we give You thanks. Your blessings are too many to number. Your benefits too great to describe. Your salvation too wonderful to put into words. So we simply say thank You, Lord. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.