I Will Bless The Lord At All Times!

As we are transitioning into a new year, I was wondering what I should write to wish you all a Happy New year. 

I did not want to write until I figured out what God wanted me to say. 2020 was rough for some and a blessing to others. I know we are all so thankful to be present in “The Land of The Living.’

Going into 2021, I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to share a word that directly addresses our mindsets as Christians.

So over the last few days, I have been feeding my soul on the life-giving word. I am happy I did!😊 (Take the break you need when you need it. When you take time to connect with God, you will gain insights that will lead you into your God-given purpose.)

As I waited for my Lord to speak, I reflected, on my life and the lessons I have learned so far. I compared my life to a garden. As I looked on into the garden of my life, I could see Jesus ensuring that my life will not be wasted. All the pruning, digging, planting, and watering is for a greater good.

In life, for the times I am a blooming beauty, I am so grateful.

For the times I am buried like a seed so that I may grow, I am so thankful.

For all the seasons that got me to where I am, and the seasons necessary for me to get where God is taking me, I am so thankful.

You see, I have matured to a stage in my Christian walk to know that God’s ways are higher than my own, and His thoughts are not my thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I have matured enough to know that He sees all, and I have limited perception.

As I looked over my life, the Holy Spirit whispered what He wanted from me. 

He lead me into Psalm 34, which starts with praise!

 God requires my praise in all seasons of life! 

“I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

The writer goes on to outline the ways in which God shows up and delivers His people in different scenarios.

 At the end of Psalm 34, the writer nearing conclusion states “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth Him out of them all.”

God did not promise us that our journey in life will always be smooth, but He promises to be with us and to deliver. 

As I enter into 2021, my motto will be “I will bless the Lord at all times, and His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

When I am happy, when He showers me with blessings, when He opens doors, when He says wait, yes or no. When I do not understand what is happening around me, my response will be the same as when I can see and feel his hand upon me. It is not about our feelings but His words.

I am going to praise when it is easy and when it is a sacrifice to praise. 

I am going to praise Him for delivering me no matter what it looks like.

I am going to praise Him from breakthrough to breakthrough. 

I am going to praise Him as I grow from grace to grace. 

I am going to praise with the understanding that it is not about what surrounds me but who surrounds what surrounds me.

I am going to thank Him that He is omnipresent, omnipotent,and omniscient.

I have faced many trials over the last few years, and God does not just show up to deliver, but to place my feet in spacious places.

He shows up and prepares a table before me. 

As we enter into 2021, let us praise the Lord at all times, knowing that no matter what we face, we will be delivered.

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard Him, and saved Him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

9 O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.

Let Me take this opportunity to say Happy New Year and may God bless you exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the new year where your walk with God is concerned?