Deliverance through Gratitude

Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. 23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [b] the salvation of God."

I am reminded by this word to not be one who just makes request to God, but one who also thanks God when He answers. When I pray, crying out to God for help, and He graciously answers, I am so often tempted to forget God once the problem is gone and I am comforted. Just like the ten lepers who Jesus cleansed. When the ten saw that they were cleansed, only one came back to praise his name. The other nine went on their way happy to live a normal life without expressing gratitude.

Phillipians 4 tells us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving.

Our Father's heart is moved when He hears our heart of gratitude. We must meditate upon the good things he has done. Right now, our son Brent is back in the hospital because he had a blood infection. I am tempted to complain about the inconvenience or the hardship this causes. However, look what I have to be thankful about! Our son's life was spared. Many people die from this infection. God has provided help for us through many caring people. He provided a trailer for us so we could stay at the hospital instead of traveling back and forth 30 miles each way or paying to stay in a hotel. He has provided food and gas and help in staying with Brent. He has given us peace. Our son is doing very well.

Brent has one more chemo session which will prove to be the worst he has faced (each one is harder on him). I am tempted to worry, but instead I just need to remember everything he has done and continue to thank him for his amazing goodness. To His name be praise!