Boundless GratitudeНамуна

Reason #7: It's Just the Wisest Thing to Do

When we first moved near the Gulf Coast, I noticed a cautionary sign around our local park. I surmised it warned against not leashing your dog. It was nothing of the sort. Alligators. The sign warned pedestrians of flesh-eating reptiles roaming the area. Guaranteed, I heeded the warnings, informing my family to beware of gators in our midst.

Snickers erupted from my feverish caution over something unlikely to occur. That was until my daughter emerged with pictorial evidence of such improbability stationed 20 yards away in our neighborhood. She had spotted it on a morning run. Since then, these savage creatures have made repeated appearances in the adjacent cult-a-sac. Experience has taught us heeding the warnings is wise, no matter how dubious they seem.

The author of Psalm 107 would concur. After communicating God’s ability to fill the emptiness, right wrongs, restore the broken, and free those bound and tethered, he holds up a cautionary sign of his own. 

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

These scenarios are ordinary and ageless. People continue to rebel against God, choosing their own way. The sufferings are no respecter of persons. Yet, God remains sovereign. Therefore, we pray. We ask for deliverance. Wisdom anticipates God responding for His Glory and our good, but too many can’t embrace this wisdom. The pieces of life haven’t fit together. Somehow it feels as definite as encountering an alligator in your neighborhood.

Jesus anticipated the cross and asked God to provide an alternative for Him to miss the torture, humiliation, and death. But ultimately, he prayed, “Not what I want, what You want.” He accepted the big picture without all the pieces he wanted in play. 

Wisdom shares this perspective. If God was able to face His only son in the garden, turning His back on the same son to do what was best for people steeped in sin, there is providence enough for my needs and what aches in your heart.

Whoever is wise, let them consider these many, many loving kindnesses of the Lord.

Let yours be boundless gratitude, seeing through life’s difficulties, free to give evidence for the goodness of your God without knowing how all the pieces fit. May His Word fall on you with power.

Keep your list going. Make this your most thankful season yet.

We hope this plan was an encouragement. For more Gospel-centered resources from Cheri to help stir a desire for God into your everyday life, visit https://www.sheyearns.com/what-is-next/