Psalm 40:10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

God’s blessings are not to be hidden. That’s not the same as flaunting wealth, which we see far too much of. Rather, it is telling others of God’s faithfulness so that they, too, may turn to Him in faith. That is what gives God glory, as we are called on to do throughout the Bible. Many people don’t talk about how good God has been to them, either for fear it will come across as boasting, or out of embarrassment that they needed such help from God. In either case, that’s pride getting in the way of giving God glory. The Black church in America has a beautiful tradition of “testifying” or “giving a witness” that touches on the small things of life that we often overlook. As the question/answer song by Andrae Crouch puts it, “Who woke you up this morning? Jesus! Who set you on your way? Jesus!” That’s not to say we have to recount every detail of our lives to others – that’s the current aberration called Twitter – but it is to say that we are to be aware that we can do nothing without God’s help, and to let that reality be reflected in our conversation. Few people, when talking about their experiences, ever bring God into the narrative, and that’s a shame.

I perhaps do better than some in this area, but that’s not to say I don’t have a lot of room for improvement. Interestingly, the aches and pains that come with growing older help me be more aware not only of my dependence on God, but also just how much He does bless me. The fact that I don’t always have a cramp under my shoulder blade (like I do now), or that only one of my fingers has joint pain, is something to be thankful for! I don’t deserve better, and God deserves all the praise. I am not to focus on the negatives, either in my own thinking or in my words to others, but rather focus on God’s sustaining grace. I have a packed schedule today, but past experience tells me that God will carry me through, giving me the strength and wisdom necessary for each task, and that is certainly something to praise Him for!

Father, I do thank and praise You for Your faithfulness. Show me how to give You the glory You deserve, not only by how I speak but by how I live. May I draw each of the believers likewise to praise You in every facet of their lives, so that we may be a church that delights You by delighting in You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!