I thank Thee for the temporal blessings of this world—the refreshing air, the light of the sun, the food that renews strength, the raiment that clothes, the dwelling that shelters, the sleep that gives rest, the starry canopy of night, the summer breeze, the flowers’ sweetness, the music of flowing streams, the happy endearments of family, kindred, friends. Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort. My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies. Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the full warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit, the strength of Thy restraining will, Thy spiking of hell’s artillery. Blessed be my sovereign Lord! — Evening Praise, Valley of Vision Prayers
Thou art the blessed God, happy in Thyself, source of happiness in Thy creatures, my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder. Thou hast produced and sustained me, supported and indulged me, saved and kept me; Thou art in every situation able to meet my needs and miseries. – Divine Support, Valley of Vision Prayers
For part of our Thanksgiving celebrations yesterday, everyone read verses from the back of their place cards that walked through God’s redemptive plan in the history of the Bible and his people’s thankful response. I’ve included those verses (and some extras that we didn’t have enough place cards for) here. Happy Thanksgiving!
— The ark of God brought back to Jerusalem under King David.
8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;make known his deeds among the peoples!9 Sing to him; sing praises to him;tell of all his wondrous works!10 Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!11 Seek the LORD and his strength;seek his presence continually!12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,his miracles and the judgments he uttered,13 O offspring of Israel his servant,sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God;his judgments are in all the earth.15 Remember his covenant forever,the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,his sworn promise to Isaac,17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob,as an everlasting covenant to Israel,18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,as your portion for an inheritance.”19 When you were few in number,and of little account, and sojourners in it,20 wandering from nation to nation,from one kingdom to another people,21 he allowed no one to oppress them;he rebuked kings on their account,22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,do my prophets no harm!”23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth!Tell of his salvation from day to day.24 Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous works among all the peoples!25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,and he is to be held in awe above all gods.26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,but the LORD made the heavens.27 Splendor and majesty are before him;strength and joy are in his place.28 Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples,ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;bring an offering and come before him!30 tremble before him, all the earth;yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;let the field exult, and everything in it!33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joybefore the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also:“Save us, O God of our salvation,and gather and deliver us from among the nations,that we may give thanks to your holy name,and glory in your praise.36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,from everlasting to everlasting!”Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the LORD.1 Chronicles 16:8-36
When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”2 Chronicles 7:3
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away. Ezra 3:10-13
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness…But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.Romans 6:17-18, 22
And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”Revelation 4:9-11
thoughts and songs 