Psalm 67:3, 7

‘Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.’

DAILY READING – John 3:1-21; 1 Chronicles 12; Zechariah 2

Dr. Harry A. Ironside was one of the greatest Bible teachers the world has ever known. For over 50 years he traveled as a home missionary, evangelist, and Bible teacher, preaching the Word of God. He published over sixty books and pamphlets and became well known as pastor of the Moody Bible Church. He held meetings continually under the auspices of Moody Bible Institute, going often as visiting faculty to Dallas Theological Seminary.

During his time at the Dallas Theological Seminary, shortly after the school was founded in 1924, an amazing incident of divine provision took place. At that time, the Dallas Theological Seminary was almost at the point of bankruptcy. On a particular morning when all the creditors were going to foreclose, the key leaders of the seminary met in the office of the school’s president, to pray and praise God. Dr. Ironside was one of the men leading the prayers. When it was his turn, he prayed in his characteristic manner: “Lord, we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are Thine. Please sell some of them and send us the money.”

While they were still praying, a Texan cattle trader came to the business office of the Dallas Theological Seminary and said to the secretary, “I just sold two carloads of cattle and I feel compelled to give the money to the seminary. I don’t know if you need it or not, but here’s the check!”  Knowing how critical things were financially, the secretary took the check and went to the president’s office and presented it to the leaders. Amazingly, the check was exactly the amount they needed to pay off the debt!  Turning to Dr. Ironside, the president jokingly said, “Harry, God sold the cattle!”

Indeed, God owns the cattle on a thousand hills; and He is able and available to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.  The earth belongs to the Lord and the fullness thereof and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all we could ever ask or imagine. Divine Supply is real; it is Heaven’s timely provision that defies human reasoning. And one of the fastest ways of experiencing divine supply is engaging the power of gratitude.

In John 6:5-12, when Jesus fed 5,000 men, thanksgiving was what multiplied the loaves of bread. Thanksgiving has multiplication power that naturally draws supernatural provisions to us. When you are a thanks giver, nothing ever finishes in your hand. The earth will continually yield its increase to you when you engage in praising God.

Psalm 67:3, 7 says, ‘Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us.’

It is true we are often faced with challenges. Every child of God carries enviable destiny that attracts opposition from the enemy, but a heart of gratitude is our fastest escape out of any tight situation. When you are grateful, you wouldn’t need to fight to win your battles, because God takes your place in battle, while you just watch.

Gratitude is a spiritual force that empowers us to scale great heights. Indeed, it is your gratitude that determines your altitude in life. You cannot stop gaining altitude unless you stop expressing gratitude; and you will never drop in altitude unless you drop in gratitude. Let us therefore decide today to engage the covenant weapon of gratitude to win our battles. Whatever you may be faced with today, instead of complaining, decide rather to give God thanks. And as you do, God will indeed turn your pressures to pleasures.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to be always full of gratitude, no matter how tough things may sometimes seem. I know indeed that as I remain grateful to You, I shall never be grounded in Jesus’ name.

QUOTE

The battle you are faced with today is a good warfare because God has already foreordained victorious end for you.