The Daily Word: Monday, December 30th, 2019
Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the Lord. “Yet Jacob I have loved…” – Mal. 1:2
God has loved you! He gave you life. He formed you in your mother’s womb. He put breath in your lungs! He fashioned the days of your life for you, “…when as yet there were none of them” (Ps. 139:16).
Yet our default condition is to forget that He loves us. We complain, saying, “In what way have You loved us?” (v 2), even though the evidence of His love is all around. We quickly lose sight of everything He has done, and fix our eyes on only the things that seem undone in our lives. Then we cry out to God, asking Him why they aren’t done yet!
But thanksgiving (grateful praise!) is the key to answered prayer:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6)
Take a moment today to thank God first. Thank Him for what you have before asking Him for more! He loves you! And He always has. He proved it when He sent Jesus to die in your place, so that you could live with God for all eternity. If you want to see answered prayer, start by acknowledging everything He has already done.
Prayer:
Father, make me grateful! I pray You would humble me as necessary until I am in a place where I can give You honest, thankful praise. I am so grateful, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.