PSALM 103:1 – 2

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

: DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Kings 14; Joel 2:1-11
Today is the last day of the year! Praise God! 

Looking back at the year, there are so many things to be  thankful to God for. David said in Psalm 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits”

Thanksgiving is not optional. It is a debt we owe God. When we think about all the goodness of Jesus, then we are bound to thank Him. Thanksgiving is important because it adjusts our attitude and calibrates our hearts so that we stop complaining and rather begin to appreciate God.  There are so many things to thank God for. There is so much God has done for us. However, the truth is that so many times the things we ought to be thanking God for, are things we take for granted. 

For instance we go to church as a routine, and openly declare our identities as Christians. But do you know there are countries where to be identified as a Christian is a death sentence?  

North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. In this totalitarian communist state, Christians are forced to hide their faith completely from government authorities, neighbors and often, even their own spouses and children.

In October 2016, a 55 year old North Korean defector reveals he was tortured and nearly killed just for being a Christian.  He managed to escape from one of the country’s notorious jails, fleeing into China and is now living in Los Angeles, US. He  described being tortured in the hermit state because of his religion.  He told Fox News about how he was forced to hide his religious beliefs . He along with eight others started an underground church, but because of the repression of Christians, they were forced to keep it a secret. But in 2008, officials caught and arrested him.  He was about to be sent to one of the country’s terrifying labour camps – where prisoners must undergo “re-education” treatment – when he managed to escape across the border. He  now lives in LA where he has promised to continue spreading the word about North Korean injustices.

Besides North Korea, there are many other repressive countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.  Recently two Pakistani Christians—a husband and his pregnant wife—were beaten for three days, stoned by an angry mob and dragged behind a vehicle. Finally they were thrown into a brick kiln and burned alive. They were falsely accused of desecrating a copy of the Quran. And without trial or opportunity to defend themselves they were murdered by the mob.

Christians who live in such regions of persecution, whenever they escape, find it strange how those of us who live in religious freedom can be casual about our faith. 

It is said you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose it. This is why people who have a near death experience often come out of it with a new appreciation for life. 

We ought to be grateful that we are not being thrown into jail for going to church on Sunday. We ought to be grateful that we are not reading scraps of scriptures on bits of paper because we cannot openly carry the Bible. 

There are so many things we ought to be grateful to God this year; not only for material blessings, but also for the basic things of life. 

29.8 million people are living as slaves today, according to the Walk Free Foundation, who investigated 162 countries and found slaves in everyone. Aren’t you glad you are not living in slavery of any form? 

The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world’s population is overfed, one-third is underfed and one-third is starving. Approximately 925 million people in the developing world are chronically undernourished. Aren’t you grateful to God you have food to eat everyday?  

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights says there are 100 million homeless people in the world. One in three children in the world live without adequate shelter. And today there are about 42 million people who are living as refugees. Most were displaced by war and live in crude camps. Well then, thank God for a roof over your head!

Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. Those who have college degrees, are only a privileged minority; only 6.7 percent of people in the world have a college diploma. Well, thank God you are able to read and write!

Also thank God you are breathing free air and not in a hospital paying for oxygen. Thank God you are walking with your legs and not being carried. Thank God you are still joined to the living and so have hope. And most of all thank God for the joy of salvation and the hope of heaven. 

Yes, life may have thrown you some curves this year; perhaps you lost some things and went through some trials,  but thank God, through it all you didn’t lose your mind. You are still here! And you still have your praise!

Now, do you have breath?  Well, then use it to praise God! Bless the Lord, and forget not His benefits.
PRAYER:  Lord from the very depths of my heart I bless You for enabling me to see the last day of this year. Lord I am truly grateful. I thank You for Your faithfulness to me throughout this year. And as I get ready to cross over into  the New year, I am confident that I shall see even greater blessings. Thank you so much for all Your goodness in my life in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE 
When you praise God despite your situation power is released for a raise. – WORDBITE 222.  

[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]