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8 Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; 9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you— 14 vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. 15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. 17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

 

The writer of this Psalm writes of God’s power, might, discipline, and Love. Reminding them of God’s power in the parting of the Red sea, his miracles to feed and supply them on their 40-year journey to the promised land.

 

I’m glad we didn’t have to worry about all of that!

 

Or do we?

When we look back on our lives, have we not also been confronted with doubts, worries, and frustrations? The loss of a loved one, being “passed over” for a job promotion, loss of a job, a death of a relationship, etc. Those times when we come to an emotional impasse, not knowing which way to go, and then someone says to you “. . .I know how you feel it happened to me. . .”

 

It is then we can relate to the Psalm writer’s exclamation of Thanksgiving, and the need to show their love of God by their offerings and exclamations of gratitude. We too, need to give our Thanks and gratitude to God, who sends us through the Holy Spirit to encourage, support, and love us as Jesus has done with his life.

 

Jerry Bratz

jnbratz70@gmail.com

 

Prayer Concern:.That we may be there when someone is going through a hard time in their life.

 

Alternate verses: Acts 27: 1-12, Genesis 6: 5-22