The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (24 page)
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Authors: Joyce Meyer
Tags: #Religion / Christian Life / Devotional, #Religion / Devotional, #Religion / Christian Life / Inspirational, #Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth
But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; and He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]
JOHN 2:24–25
Jesus loved people—we see that in His interaction with people, especially His disciples. He had great fellowship with them—traveled with them, ate with them, and taught them—but He did not trust Himself totally to them. Because He knew what was in human nature.
That does not mean He didn’t trust them at all; He just didn’t open Himself up and give Himself to them in the same way He trusted God and opened Himself up to His heavenly Father. He didn’t expect them to be perfect toward Him and never disappoint Him.
We can be thankful for the example of Jesus because He shows us how we should live. We should love people, and we can trust them, but never give them the trust that belongs to God. He is always trustworthy, and He always has your best interest at heart.
Father, thank You for the example of Jesus. I love and trust the people close to me in life, but my ultimate dependence and trust is in You.
The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.
PROVERBS 10:28
We can be thankful that it is God’s will for us to enjoy the life He has provided. The joy of the Lord is our strength. With that knowledge, we can make the decision to enjoy life every day.
Enjoying life does not mean we have something exciting going on all the time; it simply means enjoying the simple, everyday things. Most of life is rather ordinary, but we are supernaturally equipped with the power of God to live ordinary, everyday life in an extraordinary way.
Yes, it takes God’s power to enjoy life because all of life is not easy. Many things happen that we do not plan, and some of them are difficult. But Jesus said, “Cheer up, I have overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm you” (see John 16:33).
Father, when I am faced with a difficult situation, help me to choose joy in spite of my circumstance. I thank You that Your joy is my strength each and every day.
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
It is important that we have a healthy, scriptural view of ourselves. No one is perfect; we all have growing to do. But thankfully, we can know that we are loved and accepted by God while we are becoming the people He wants us to be.
These thoughts reflect the Bible-based self-image you can have in Christ:
I know God created me and He loves me (see Psalm 139:13–14; John 3:16).
I have faults and weaknesses, and I want to change. I believe God is working in my life, changing me little by little, day by day (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Everyone has faults, so I am not a failure just because I am not perfect (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).
No matter how often I fail, I will not give up, because God is with me to strengthen and sustain me (see Hebrews 13:5).
In myself I am nothing, and yet in Jesus I am everything I need to be (see John 15).
I can do all things I need to do—everything God calls me to do through His Son Jesus Christ (see Philippians 4:13).
Father, I am so thankful that I have a new identity in You. Regardless of what I have been told or how I feel on a given day, I will trust Your Word and believe that everything Your Word says about me is true.