Tuesday Tidbits

But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, a feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, God will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, the shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he’ll banish death forever. Isaiah 25: 6-8 (MSG)

I recently volunteered alongside my daughter, Brooke, at the Food Bank of central and eastern North Carolina. I humbly admit I was unfamiliar with the Food Bank organization, so I had no idea what I would do during my four-hour time slot. I have since learned that the Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. The massive, completely self-reliant facility was built to withstand a category-five hurricane, and I can honestly say that I have never seen anything that compares to it. The gigantic refrigeration and freezers allow them to distribute over 97,000,000 pounds of food yearly. That equates to over 80,000,000 meals to those in need. The Food Bank partners with an average of 700 food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, and group homes. They depend heavily on volunteers to help prep and prepare the food, load it into disposable food containers, vacuum seal, box, and store it until ready to be distributed. At any one time, no less than 10,000 meals are in storage, ready for distribution. Their vision statement simply says, “No one goes hungry.”

Last week, I assisted with sealing and boxing the food containers. It was interesting to see the variety of meals, but I also noticed that the portion size was very modest. It was about the size of your typical “Lean Cuisine” frozen meal. And I wondered if that was enough to make sure that the recipient would not still be hungry. Would it be enough food to satisfy their hunger? In the book of Mark, Jesus had the opportunity to feed many people with only a little bit of food. He had thousands of hungry mouths to feed with only five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:35-44). “Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.”  Not only were the people no longer hungry, but there were leftovers!  This miracle reveals many Biblical truths, but the one we don’t often recognize is an important aspect of God’s character: He always gives in abundance!    

We often give God our leftovers. Our leftover time, our leftover resources, our leftover minds and bodies after the day has physically and mentally drained us. But God only gives in abundance. He doesn’t supply just barely what we need and call it a day. He goes over and above, sometimes beyond anything we can imagine. His mercy abounds, His love is never-ending, His grace is unfathomable.

And in the most important demonstration of His abundance, God went so far as to send his Son to earth as a lowly human, to die on a cross to redeem rebellious, undeserving humanity. His gracious abundance provides us a pathway to eternity to live with Him forever. A place where hunger will not exist. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Ezekiel 34: 11-12

Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well is a familiar passage to most of us (John 4:1-26). The Samaritan woman was a hot mess needing a lifestyle change for sure. Jesus offered her a drink of the Living Water, and she accepted and went on to tell the entire town. It is an amazing example of God’s grace to an undeserving soul. It reminds us that we all are undeserving souls dependent upon God’s grace and mercy for salvation. But this time, studying this passage, one little word caught my attention and took my thoughts in a different direction.

Chapter 4 of John opens with Jesus and his disciples traveling from Judea to Galilee. He left Judea and went again to Galilee. He had to travel through Samaria…..(John 4:3-4)   The little word I referred to is the word “had.” The scriptures said Jesus had to travel through Samaria when, in fact, He didn’t have to. Though it was the most direct route, most strict Jews traveled across the Jordan and bypassed Samaria. They did not want to risk defilement by being anywhere close to a Samaritan. To the Jews, a Samaritan was more revolting than a pagan Gentile. Sometimes, I believe when we hear the word Samaritan, our mind settles into the story of the Good Samaritan, and we forget how deep the hatred ran. The story of the Samaritans and how they came to be can be found in the book of 2 Kings. The king of Assyria captured the cities of Samaria and deported most of the Israelites to Assyria (2 Kings 17:6). The King of Assyria brought people from all the surrounding areas and settled them in place of the Israelites in the cities of Samaria. They brought their foreign gods with them, and together with the Jewish remnant that remained in Samaria, they created a religion for themselves that the Jews considered heresy. The Samaritans not only intermarried with the foreigners, but they defiled all Jewish customs and laws.  

But despite the ongoing feud, Jesus “had” to travel through Samaria. Why? Because He was in pursuit. He didn’t care about what people would say about Him taking the wrong road or talking to not only a Samaritan but a Samaritan woman of ill repute. He was on a mission, and she was His mission.  From the very beginning, God has pursued us. After Adam and Eve sinned, they did not run toward God; they ran away, hiding among the trees (Genesis 3:8). But God pursued them, calling out, “Where are you?” God’s passionate pursuit of us required Him to send His beloved Son to die in our place. And Jesus’s earthly mission was to seek and save that which is lost. He never gives up, even when we are stubborn and rebellious. His pursuit is relentless. And He continues to pursue us after we have trusted in Christ for salvation. He pursues a deeper commitment from us so that we may be conformed to the image of Christ. Jesus pursued a woman who was a hot mess in every way and made her kingdom worthy. There is no greater honor than being the object of the Lord God Almighty’s pursuit. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the Sea of Galilee with the surrounding countryside. This would be Jesus’s destination when he went by way of Samaria.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Psalm 119:35-37

I have shared in previous posts that my favorite season is fall. I love all things fall: the food, the pumpkin-scented candles, the cool, crisp weather, and the vibrant autumn trees. The kaleidoscope of fall foliage in Virginia and West Virginia is visually stimulating. People come from all over the world to see the beauty of the Shenandoah Mountains as the leaves turn spectacular colors to create a breathtaking palette along the mountain ridges. Despite knowing and remembering what a fall should look and feel like, it’s difficult to discern that fall has arrived in my new surroundings. The tall evergreens, palm trees, and warm temperatures don’t give even the slightest hint of the change in season, even though the calendar says otherwise. The calendar tells one truth, but my surroundings do not validate that truth. What is your plum line for truth? Is it the world (surroundings) or the Word (calendar)?

This world gives us ample opportunity to question what is truth or untruth. We are constantly bombarded with half-truths and lies in every venue of our lives. We can’t trust everything we read on the internet. Our politicians blur the facts regularly. Photographs can be manipulated, as well as statistics and comparisons. Even our minds and eyes can deceive us. But the word of God is entirely true, always has been, and always will be. That truth will never change.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and contains the longest chapter in the Bible. It is a repetitive meditation on the magnificence and value of God’s word. This psalm is intended to function as an instruction manual and a plum line for living a godly life. It is a psalm that brings great comfort in times of trial. “Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119: 49-50). We can look for comfort in many places. Still, the unshaken fact is all we really need to sustain us is the precious promise that the Lord is faithful to His word. Unlike my faulty senses that try to tell me it is still summer and not fall during my daily walk, the psalmist reminds us that God’s word is indisputable, “The statutes you have laid down are righteous, they are fully trustworthy” (vs. 138). God’s word is not affected by easily deceived human senses or time. “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations…your laws endure to this day” (vs 89-91).

Truth is a relative term to much of society; there is no plum line. When you need to know the truth about yourself, the truth about people, the world, the future or the past, the truth about what brings joy and happiness, and especially the truth about God, then there is only one source. It is God’s word (John 17:17). Ironically, the answers to all those questions we often ask ourselves can be found in Psalm 119. I would encourage you to spend some time this week reading and meditating on the many, many truths found within the verses that cannot all be expounded upon in the space of this tidbit. I tell you the truth: doing so will bring your soul joy! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of my Dad’s home and the beautiful West Virginia fall foliage on the family farm.    

Messengers told Jehoshaphat, “A large army from Edom east of the Dead Sea has invaded our country.”  Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he asked the Lord what to do.  2 Chronicles 20:2-3

After years of peace, King Jehoshaphat was simultaneously besieged by three armies. Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king, but a good king in many ways. But even valiant kings can become unsettled and fearful, especially when surrounded by three different “ites”: Ammonites, Moabites, and Meunites. In our world, there are all kinds of different ‘ites” to throw our lives off kilter and produce fear. World events, relationships, illness, finances, and many other things constantly play a role in the stability of our lives. Jehoshaphat leaves us with a beautiful example to follow. In his time of crisis, he turned to God.  He called the people together and instituted a fast. Then they traveled to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. (2 Chron 20:3-5). Christians do not need to go to the temple to pray. Our journey is much shorter. It is only as long as the length of your calf. That is the distance from the floor to your knees.

In King Jehoshaphat’s prayer (2 Chron 20: -12), he gets to the heart of the matter. He honestly and openly confesses that he does not know what to do. “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Is there any more beautiful way to bring ourselves to the foot of the cross than with this simple prayer that, more often than not, describes our reality? When we don’t know what to do, He does. When we are powerless, He is all-powerful. The world offers many solutions to our problems, but Jehoshaphat turned to the only source that can give us what we need. And that source is God alone.

Whatever we are facing can feel like a vast army. It can feel like every “ite” known to man is against us. We can be taking fire from all sides and feel like we are losing the battle. But when God enters the picture, the odds change. The battle is His, and no one can withstand the power and might of His hand. But like Jehoshaphat, we must turn the fight over to Him through prayer. Our challenges in life can bring us into a closer relationship with God. Our lives can be transformed as our faith and trust in Him grows. Each “ite” that the Lord knocks down on our behalf is another layer to our testimony to share with others.  Let the words of the Lord to Jehoshaphat bring peace and comfort to our “ite” filled lives. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s……Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you….Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (2 Chron 20:15,17).  Take your position in prayer, do not be afraid or discouraged, and know that the Lord is with you, and the battle belongs to Him. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of prayer at the Jerusalem Temple’s western wall and was taken during my trip to Israel in March 2022.

For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you-for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8 AMP

The images are horrific. Israel is at war. Why should the welfare of Israel concern Christians?  Visiting Israel in March 2022 was a dream come true. It was at the very top of my bucket list. I’ve lived in and visited many foreign countries, but it did not feel like I was in a foreign land for some strange reason. As I walked the land of “milk and honey,” the more attached I grew and the more familiar it felt. As Christians, we should feel an affinity towards and familiarity with where our faith began. In Israel, Jesus was born, walked, taught, died, rose from the dead, and will return to establish His earthly kingdom. Aside from any deeper Biblical, theological, or geopolitical reason, on that one fact alone, as Christians, we should hold Israel dear to our hearts.

Historically, God promised Abraham, the father of the Jews, that He would give him and his descendants the land that is now modern-day Israel. “On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). In Genesis 26:3, the Lord confirmed the promise to Isaac, Abraham’s son. “Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants, I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.” God affirmed the covenant a third time with Isaac’s son, Jacob, who was called Israel (Gen 32:28). “and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying” (Gen 28:13). The clear promise-repeated three times in scripture-is the reason we as Christians support and recognize the State of Israel as the homeland of the Jews.

Geopolitically, Israel is America’s most significant and most vital ally. Israel shares common beliefs with the United States, unlike many other Middle Eastern countries. They support the right to life and liberty, free and fair elections, freedom to worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. They share their many modern innovations with the world, particularly medicine, and bless millions.

But aside from these reasons, the most important of all, it is through Israel that we received the knowledge of the one true God. God used Israel to bring us the wisdom of the prophets, the Good News embodied in the Word, and our life-giving Messiah. Israel is where the greatest gift to humanity was birthed. Please join me in praying for Israel, not just during this atrocious, unprovoked attack but always. And that is your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture, from my time in Israel, is of the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives.

I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 (AMP)

Jesus’s first recorded miracle is found in the second chapter of the book of John. The story is familiar, where Jesus turns the water into wine. Jesus, Mary (His mother), and His disciples were in attendance when they ran out of wine. Mary then goes to Jesus and says to Him, “They have no more wine.” This is an interesting way to address the problem that Mary wanted to help rectify. She didn’t ask Jesus to fix it or tell Him how to fix it, it was an implied request. She indicated to me that she was assured that He would solve the issue and He didn’t need her help with suggestions of how to do it. Jesus’s reply, “Dear woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” In a cursory reading of Jesus’s response, He seems not inclined to help. But Mary turned to the servants and said, “Do whatever He tells you.” She knew He would deliver but again she did not know how. I have a picture in my mind of this scene. Mary quietly states the obvious to Jesus concerning the wine, she gets a somewhat cold response, turns, and walks away, leaving Jesus to do what she knows Jesus can do.

The servants do precisely as Jesus instructs them, filling up the jars with water and taking it to the master of the banquet. As the master sips the water it turns into the best wine of the event.  Of course, it was the best!  Jesus is not going to create some off-label, cheap wine. He always gives His best. Turning the water into wine was miraculous and solved the issue Mary presented to Jesus. But verse eleven tells the whole story as to why. “He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him.” Yes, an embarrassing crisis was averted and everyone went on to enjoy the celebration, but Jesus’s intention was not to make His mother happy and ensure the party continued. The miracle was to bring the disciples to a place of undeniable faith in who Jesus was. It is also a great example of how we should respond when we bring our requests, cried out or implied, before the throne of Jesus.

The wine jugs running dry were of no surprise to Jesus. And our trials are not a surprise to Him either. But He wants us to bring them to Him, just like Mary did. And just like Mary, when we lay them down at His feet, we turn and do what He tells us to do and wait in expectant assurance that He will deliver in His way and His timing. He does not need suggestions from us on how to fix the problem. He can reach down and smooth every bump in the road, but He doesn’t. Why? Psalm 40 gives us the answer. “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord” (Psalms 40: 2-4). And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The wine cup picture was taken during my trip to Israel at the Garden Tomb.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalm 46:1-3

While in the hair salon this week, I prayed over a woman who unexpectedly received tragic news about a family member. I didn’t know the woman but recognized her because she lived in my old neighborhood. But as the inconsolable cries continued, the Holy Spirit prompted me to take her hands, encourage her to breathe, and pray. The details surrounding her family member were very complicated, and it was a vivid reminder of God’s sovereignty in our lives and that He is in charge of all the details, no matter how complex. Psalm 46 assures us that God is always with us, no matter how complicated or tragic the circumstances are. The command “Be Still” is just that, a command. It is a physical command as well as a spiritual command. The God of the universe designed our bodies in such a miraculous way that by merely stopping to breathe, it stills our minds and our bodies so our focus can be centered on Him. When our emotions and bodies are racing, our focus is everywhere but on God. Stopping to breathe and be still is vitally important in times of stress, grief, and the struggles of life. In this Psalm, we learn God is with us in the worst of times, and through it all, we are commanded to lay ourselves down, be still (breathe), and know He is God.

This prayer is titled God’s Complete Control, written by Pastor Chuck Swindoll. The prayer emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God’s sovereignty and reminds us that God controls all aspects of our lives and circumstances.  Take a moment to be still, breathe, and pray this prayer.

Quiet our hearts, dear Father, and in so doing, remind us that You are sovereign—not almost sovereign but altogether sovereign. Nothing occurs in our lives that has not been masterfully planned and put together by You, our eternal God. As we cast our cares upon You, knowing You care for us, release our stress. We entrust our concerns to You today . . . large and small, new and nagging. We long to experience peace-filled living by stepping off this treadmill called pressurized living. We pray that Your mighty presence would take the place of the stress, the demands, the struggles, the mess we’ve created. We ask that You give us Your shalom —Your peace—like we’ve never known it before. We deliberately choose to trust You and to rest in You. In the name of Jesus. Amen. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture, taken this weekend by Mike Garrett, is of the majestic mountains in my WV hometown.

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8

The ceremony was simple, solemn, and powerful. The Star Spangle Banner, played by a lone saxophone, pierced the quiet morning as the flag was raised to full staff, and as the flag was lowered to half-staff, Taps brought visible flowing tears from all of us. The flag was not just any American flag. This flag has flown over all three 9-11 memorial sites, and every day of the year except on 9-11, it is securely encased and displayed in the clubhouse of our new community. Many of our neighbors are retired police officers, firefighters, first responders, and military. The flag was carried and posted by retired New York City Firefighters and First Responders who ran toward the burning towers on that fateful day. The ceremony concluded with a NYC firefighter employing us to “never forget.”

Sometimes, I think we do forget. We go about our lives and unconsciously forget the price paid every day for the freedom we enjoy in this country. I think the same can be said of our salvation. I learned a new term this week; at least, it was new to me. Jared C. Wilson states gospel wakefulness means “treasuring Christ more greatly and savoring his power more sweetly than before.” He maintains that while it can be simultaneous with conversion or subsequent to conversion, for most Christians, it is a gradual process. But in all cases, gospel wakefulness is the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He describes his gospel wakefulness journey as coming to a place where “even though I am still subject to the ebb and flow of external circumstances, I am confident in Christ, at peace in Christ, worshipful in Christ, all in radically different ways than I was before gospel wakefulness. It is a lasting, enduring change, because it was not brought about by a dramatic worship service or some other temporary emotional impact but by my coming to the very end of myself and all hope and finding the saving arms of Christ, the only unmovable object.” Gospel wakefulness is not to be confused with salvation; it’s a deeper discernment, affection for, and consciousness of the cost of redemption. The supernatural cognizance, the “inexpressible joy” of the absolute gift for an undeserving soul then permeates our daily lives.

We have been commissioned to share the gospel and are urged to pray for a revival in this country. But I maintain that gospel wakefulness must be present to do either. We must yearn to be mindful of Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation daily. It’s more about the yearning than even the gospel wakefulness. With the hunger comes the wakefulness. “As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1). When our souls are awakened, stirred, and reminded, we must share. It is a natural occurrence of the overflow of joy.

Wilson’s book states that “the quantum leap of gospel wakefulness occurs in the midst of profound brokenness.” 9-11 profoundly broke many lives. Those who were there and those who lost family members will never forget that day. It will never be just another Monday for them. We must never forget that Christ died for us, He saved us, He set us free. As a son or daughter of the Most High God, it will never be just another Monday for us, either. Our lives are changed forever, and we must never forget. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.     

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor! Psalm 107:28-29

It wasn’t the first time I had to take shelter in the innermost room of the house. As we sat hunkered down in the hallway bathroom, listening to the weatherman on the TV just outside the door describe “rotation activity” all around us, I had an eerie déjà vu moment. We lived in Kansas, not once but twice, and living there schooled me quickly in tornado preparation. And that was the major difference between then and now. I wasn’t prepared this go around.

Just weeks earlier, I attended the hurricane preparedness class. Get a kit, make a plan, and be informed is the Red Cross hurricane readiness axiom. And I had done none of that; now, Hurricane Idalia, which hit Wilmington as a tropical storm, had arrived.  

It seems logical to prepare ahead of time for hurricanes and tornados, especially when you live along the coastline. How about the storms of life? Should we prepare for the times that send us into our innermost rooms in fear, pain, and suffering?  I believe it is vital to prepare our hearts and minds for the inevitable storms of life. The fierce winds can blow us over if we are not ready, firmly rooted in our Christian beliefs, and have an intimate knowledge of God. But how do we prepare for life’s storms? Just like gathering hurricane supplies, there are practical ways to prepare ourselves. I believe, first and foremost, to be students of the Word.

As fall descends upon us and school starts, it is a great time to commit to a Bible study or a reading plan. We should study what the Bible teaches about trials and suffering. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). God’s word brings light into the darkest of situations. It is our anchor when the storm is rocking our world. We must study what scriptures teach us about God, who He is, and His character. Deeper still, we need to know God and trust Him. And that deeper relationship will develop only by spending time with Him, in His Word.

Trusting God and affirming His sovereignty plays a significant role in facing a storm. Do we believe He is in absolute control over everything that touches our lives? Do we truly trust that He has only good intentions? Do we firmly believe that our pain and suffering can be used for our transformation and His glory? Is our hope solely on Christ alone? We can make the kit and the plan and be informed, but are we fully prepared and ready without these assurances?

Developing our prayer life during the calm seasons is also essential. In turbulent times, praying should be just like breathing. Prayer will not be our go-to comfort if we grapple for words or feel awkward.  Trusting God with all things through daily prayer prepares us to turn to Him in the storms.

I have plenty of excuses for not doing something to prepare for Idalia. None of them is a valid excuse. At the very least, I should have stocked up on bottled water and filled up the gas tank (several stations ran out of gas). It can be frightening when we are unprepared for nature’s or life’s storms. It is during the times of peace and calm we must disciple ourselves in the Word and prayer. We must pray for and pursue a faith that courageously confronts the devastation the storms leave behind with a solid trust in God, a faith that says, “It is well with my soul.” And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.    

Since moving to North Carolina, the little church I have attended is doing a summer series on the Psalms. Unlike any other part of the Bible, the Psalms bring comfort, guidance, and wisdom into our lives through Hebrew poetry and song. They illuminate the greatness of our God, affirm His faithfulness to us in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. The book of Psalms expresses worship. Throughout the many pages, we are reminded who God is and what He has done for us.

Moving is never easy. We have moved seventeen times, and the process has never been effortless. It isn’t easy physically, emotionally and spiritually. Some moves are more challenging than others, and this move for me has by far been the hardest. A part of that is because I’m older, and the physical demands are more taxing on the body. Also, I left a place that holds beautiful memories, a place close to home, surrounded by supportive and praying friends, and my list can go on and on. Even though my body hurts, my heartache has been the most painful. And I have lamented my pain to God, family, and friends.

In Psalm 116, the psalmist professes, “I love the Lord for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” God hears our prayers and comforts us in our anguish because “He is gracious and righteous, our God is full of compassion” (vs. 5). The psalmist then goes on to ask an interesting question. “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (vs 12).  Christians know that we can never repay the Lord for our salvation, but the psalmist encourages us to give the Lord recognition by lifting up “the cup of salvation” and calling to Him. Then he goes on to say, “I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it together with his people” (vs 14, The Message). In verse eighteen, he repeats this promise to God and adds that it will be done with thankfulness. There are no conditions attached to this repayment for the psalmist. He doesn’t promise to fulfill his commitment or be grateful only if life goes his way and events like moving don’t get in the way.

Gratitude journals are trendy; even if you don’t record them, gratitude should be a part of our prayers and daily life. It’s easy in times of distress to get bogged down with the negative, but the psalmist reminds us that gratitude is what we can return to God. He goes one step further than writing it in a journal. He tells us to express it in the “presence of all his people.” Telling others how God has blessed us, in times of trial especially, is our witness. Everyone knows that life is hard, but they need to hear how God is there with us every step of the way.  Moving has been challenging, but I’m blessed to live closer to my daughter, attend church with her, be close to friends, and live in a beautiful home and neighborhood. I am using this platform to profess those blessings to you because I admittedly have not done well with publicly expressing gratitude during this transition time. God has been with us every step of this journey. He has provided praying and supportive family and friends, and He deserves the gratitude and the glory. “In the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!” (vs 19). And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.