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1 Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks. 2 I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: "Thank you!" Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. 3 The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. 4 When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth's kings will say "Thank you." 5 They'll sing of what you've done: "How great the glory of God!" 6 And here's why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us. 7 When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, With your other hand save me. 8 Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal - don't quit on me now. (Psalm 138 The Message Bible)
Happy Thursday Friend, I ask that God bless you in a wonderful and unexpected way; may it cause you to deepen your faith in Him and to walk closer with Jesus. Much more to go and much more to do! I ask again for prayers for this old man as I prepare to preach in Gonzales at the 8:30 and 10:45 am worship services. Pray for our pastor, Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington as he continues his missionary work in Rwanda; may God bless multitudes through him and bring him safely home soon.
A dear friend and classmate was from Japan during my days at Perkins School of Theology SMU. He was a gracious man with limited English. Another friend and I noticed and believed that someone may have told him that if he didn't understand something in English he should respond with a simple, thank you. There's nothing wrong with that! He did not want to offend anyone, nor ignore anyone and though it may not fit, it still comes in inoffensively and with a strong sentiment; thank you. The psalmist always found time to say thanks to the Lord. It was interesting to read Wednesday's Upper Room where the writer confesses she allowed someone to make a U-turn in front of her even though she was holding up traffic by allowing that, and then when the woman zoomed away without acknowledging thanks of any kind she felt angry, then bad, for realizing she was doing good and that should be done without expecting any thanks of any kind. I confess that sometimes in our car we may say a word about ungrateful people but then we too realize we're meant to be and do good without worrying about any earthly thanks. How many times has God done something for us and we don't even thank Him? Not so with King David, "Everyhing in me says, 'Thank You!'" And he imagines angles listening to his singing his thanks to God. And his thankfulness is not limited to word and song; it's a part of his prayer life and his worship life; both inside and outside the temple (his church!). His list includes thankfulness for God's love, God's faithfulness, and grateful for God's grace. David, in the midst of his struggles, pauses to give thanks for God's enduring faithfulness. He recognizes that even when life feels overwhelming, God’s love and truth remain unshakable.
This psalm begins with a heart overflowing with gratitude. David doesn’t just thank God for what He’s done but also for who God is. God’s name is holy—set apart, sacred, a refuge in times of trouble. When David calls out in distress, God answers immediately, and with that, his life expands. Not in the way we might imagine—wealth, fame, or ease—but in strength, in peace, in presence.
When we experience our own moments of struggle—whether relational, financial, or emotional—it's easy to feel that God has forgotten us, or that He is distant. But David's testimony tells us something different. God doesn’t wait for us to figure everything out or to get our lives perfectly in order before stepping in. He hears us the moment we call, and He steps in with power. It is not always a dramatic shift in circumstances, but a quiet strengthening of the heart.
In fact, it’s often in the hardest seasons that God reveals Himself most clearly. When we feel most fragile, most vulnerable, He is most near. It’s in our weakness that His strength is perfected.
David’s response—thanksgiving—isn’t just for past blessings but a declaration of trust in God’s ongoing faithfulness. God is with him now, not just in past moments of deliverance, but in present struggles.
Psalm 138 invites us to ask: How often do we pause to recognize God’s presence and power in the midst of our challenges? How often do we offer our own spontaneous thanksgiving, not because everything is perfect, but because God is faithful?
PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness. In the midst of our struggles, we sometimes forget that You are with us, right there in the thick of it. Forgive us for when we’ve doubted Your presence and Your strength. Open our eyes to see You with us even in our weakest moments. Thank You for always answering when we call, for lifting us up with Your love, and for making our lives large with Your strength. Help us to live in constant gratitude, not because our circumstances are perfect, but because You are always present and always good. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Don’t wait for everything to feel “right” before you speak to Him. Acknowledge His presence and trust that He is stepping in to strengthen you in this very moment. Then, take a moment to thank Him—not just for what He’s done in the past, but for His love and faithfulness that never change.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
