Promise for Today - The Choice to Be Grateful

NOTE: For the rest of November, I will share Thanksgiving moments written by other authors.
Today's devotional was written by Susan Merritt.
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Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:22-27

This story goes on to tell us how an earthquake happened, and all the chains fell off all the prisoners. No one fled and we are led to believe that the prayers and praises going up to God moved them to stay. It was well known that the guard would have been executed if they had fled. When the guard realized that they were all still there, he asked Paul what he must do to be saved. He had heard them praying and singing praises to God. Then he witnessed them putting their faith into action by staying put. This was what God used to soften his heart to receive the truth of Jesus.

I have a very good friend that I met in 1980. When I met her, she had recently lost one of her arms in a tractor accident. She had a hook for a hand. While in the hospital recuperating, she spent those days praising God and praying for everyone who walked into her room. Her countenance expressed the joy and peace of God. She continually expressed an attitude of thanksgiving.

As the story goes, nurses and doctors began to be saved. A little revival broke out in the West Texas hospital because of the thanksgiving and joy expressed by my friend. She was truly filled with God’s Spirit at a time when most people would have been devastated. My friend chose to be grateful with joy, and several were saved. Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise God and the jailer with his family all became followers of Christ.

Let’s do the same and live a life full of gratitude and joy unto our Father. We never know who is paying attention and who might turn to Jesus because of it.

Prayer:

Almighty God,
                        We bow our hearts before You in thanksgiving for all You have done for us. Thank You for being with us during very trying times. Thank You for giving us hearts full of joy and peace as we abide in You. In Jesus’ Name