God delights in enrolling me in special courses.  You know what I mean.  In college they have a series of classes that focus on a specific portion of a larger study.  A history major might focus on the years of one of the Roosevelts or Reagan; maybe focus on the impact of the courts in history.  A science major studies the chemistry of life.

Two years ago, God put me through an intense study on fear and faith.  Everywhere I went, everything I read, every sermon contained some new information regarding fear.  He led me where I needed to go before events would occur requiring this training.  He prepared me for what I would need in my life.

Now He seems to be taking me on an adventure to learn about living a life of thanksgiving.    This time I appear to be studying in the School of David.  You know the guy who was a shepherd, soldier, king, and songwriter.   I admit, David is one of my favorite people in the bible. He managed to get himself into trouble several times, yet God loved him.  That probably is a wrong view of this shepherd boy turned king.  David was a man after God’s own heart because it was David’s desire to do what God commanded. He stumbles and falls, but he always turns back to God crying for forgiveness.  He longed to please God.

When you look at David’s psalms and his life, you find a man who lived a life of gratitude—a life continually recognizing God’s actions in his life.  Based on this, it makes sense to allow David to teach us about Thanksgiving.  And it just so happens, David wrote a psalm outlining a life of Thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 16.  It will be our primary text for learning how to go on a great adventure with God through thanksgiving.

But a quick overview of the process can be found in Psalm 50:15 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Exercise for the day (I recommend keeping a notebook or journal with your daily thoughts)

Do you long to please God?

Why?

What is your reaction when you realize you have displeased God?