Thoughts for the Day

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

What is your record like in thanking people? Our parents and grandparents were really very good at thanking others for their help. Victorian ladies would pen beautiful little cards to thank others, and I can certainly remember older family members making up little posies or baskets of fruit or vegetables from the garden to thank someone for their help. Do we make do now with a "Cheers"? Or perhaps a short email or text message? Do we thank someone briefly at the time and then forget it, or do we thank them a little late? Perhaps we never say thank you to them at all.

Psalm 124 is one of the Psalms of Ascent sung as the pilgrims climbed the steep tracks to the Temple in Jerusalem. King David gives his thanks to God for the way He has saved the nation from attack by their enemies. When our life becomes difficult and we appeal to God for help, then we too should always remember to thank God when we feel He has listened and answered our prayers, especially if we don't like the answer much, because He has different plans for us! Maybe in that case we need to be sure we haven't gone off God's path, and that we are still following on His path.

Lord God,
we thank You
for Your love for us.
We thank You
for not doing what we ask,
and sometimes for doing what we ask.
We also thank You for beauty, music, art, and drama.
We thank You for friends and family.
We thank You for animals, birds, and our world.
Lord, we just thank You.
Thank You!
Amen.