30 Days of Thankful: Day 2

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (Jer. 32:27)

Welcome to “30 Days of Thankful.”  I’m honored you’ve decided to join me as we strive together to develop a thankful heart.

Sometimes I wonder if my view of God is too small.   Just the other morning, I was outside enjoying the quiet when suddenly, two fighter jets flew overhead at a very low altitude. Their roar was deafening and everything around me shook violently. I realized the two massive jets were probably part of the game opener show at a nearby college football stadium so I wasn’t alarmed. Even so, I was overwhelmed by their sound, speed, and power.

Strangely, tears welled up in my eyes and I got a lump in my throat.  Now I admit to having a soft spot for our military, but this went deeper. It was if God whispered to me: “You need not fear anything in life,  for I am far stronger than these mighty, fighter jets.”

Then, I remembered the words God spoke through the prophet  Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

I thought about the word behold.  Not a word I use every day.  The dictionary defines behold as “to see through sight or apprehension;” or “to gaze upon.”  I realized that beholding is connected to thankfulness:  If I want to develop a thankful heart, I need to spend time each day “beholding” God’s majesty. Simply put, I need to “gaze upon him.”

Then it hit me: The closer I get to God, the more easily I behold his awesomeness. I was very near to those fighter jets—so their might and power were awe inspiring. How often am I awed by God? Maybe I need to spend more time each day drawing close to him.

My prayer partner once said this:  We should “glance at our problem, but gaze on God’s promise.” The fighter jet episode reminded me that I also need to gaze upon God himself. I need to draw near to him each day and behold his majesty and glory.

When I truly behold God, fear, discouragement, and hopelessness flee.  And my heart swells with thankfulness.