“They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed, saying, “HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING WELL! He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”- Mark 7:37 Amplified Bible.
“REMEMBER [with AWE and GRATITUDE] the WONDERFUL THINGS which HE HAS DONE, HIS AMAZING DEEDS and the judgments uttered by His mouth [on His enemies, as in Egypt].” – Psalm 105:5 Amplified Bible.
As we approach the final days of this remarkable year, let us take a moment to look back through the lens of gratitude. When we adopt an attitude of gratitude, we invite God to continually lift us to greater heights. Our anchor scripture for this reflection, Mark 7:37 (AMP), declares: “He [Jesus] has done everything well!”
What Are You Remembering?
As the year ends, it’s easy to focus on your losses, challenges, or unmet expectations. But let us choose to remember God’s goodness. If you’ve lost anything, remember this powerful truth: God is the only reason you haven’t lost everything!
King David, a man addicted to gratitude, beautifully captured this perspective in
Psalm 124:1-8 (NKJV): “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 men rose up against us, Then they would have swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us; Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul; Then the swollen waters Would have gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as 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.”
Gratitude Is the Gateway to More
Gratitude is not just a reflection; it’s a declaration of faith. When we express gratitude, we open the door to God’s continued blessings. Why? Because appreciation is an application for more!
As Psalm 136:1 (NLT) reminds us: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” And when we choose to appreciate God, He crowns our efforts with abundance:
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance” (Psalm 65:11, NLT).
Practical Steps to Wrap Up the Year with Gratitude
1. Reflect on God’s Goodness
Take time to meditate on Psalm 103:1-5: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” List specific ways God has blessed you this year.
2. Count Your Blessings
Write down at least ten things you are grateful for this year. From life’s smallest details to its grandest miracles, remember His goodness.
3. Express Your Gratitude
Join King Hezekiah’s declaration in Isaiah 38:19 (AMPC): “The living, the living—they shall thank and praise You, as I do this day.”
4. Share Your Testimony
Encourage others by sharing how God has been faithful to you and your family this year.
5. Enter the New Year with Thanksgiving
Commit to making gratitude your lifestyle in the new year: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NKJV).
When you honor God with genuine thanksgiving, He crowns your year with His goodness and sets you on a path of abundance for the next!
Love you all. Have a blessed week and Happy New Year in advance!
