Jan 9-Daily Devotional- Give Thanks for His Goodness

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Give Thanks for His Goodness

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34


When we fast, it's easy to slip into soulish emotions and focus on all the bread, pizza and hamburgers we are not eating or on the coffee, tea and soda we are not drinking. I've been there . . . just this morning I walked into my kitchen and felt a craving rise up in me for my treasured cup of morning coffee.

But we can use these cravings, frustrations and feelings of deprivation as signals to turn our attention away from us and to the Lord. Instead of focusing on what we can't have, we can focus on all the blessings the Lord has given in our past and is giving us today!

First of all, we can thank Him for the great work that is going on in our physical bodies as we feed it nutritious, cleansing food and water. We can thank Him for the ways He is teaching us to submit ourselves to Him and walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. And we can thank Him for hearing and answering our prayers as we lift them to Him in our daily quiet time.

Let's try increasing our attention on the Lord and His goodness, rather than on the foods and beverages we are not able to eat during the fast. Every time we feel a hunger pang, a craving, or a detox headache . . . give thanks to the Lord for a specific blessing in your life. That's how we can turn our attention to Him rather than to ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 teaches, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." We can use this instruction as a help during the fast. Rejoicing, praying and giving thanks keeps our focus on the One we want to serve, the One we want to please, and the One who will draw near to us as we draw near to Him.

Let's show the enemy that he has nothin' on us! The next time you sense a "wanting" rise in you . . . treat it as a signal to give thanks to the Lord for all that He has done. Enter into praise and thanksgiving and watch as the Lord releases His love, power and blessings into your life!

Be blessed on your Daniel Fast,

Susan Gregory