Psalm 84:12 O Lord Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Various parts of this Psalm have understandably been set to music in modern times. As a Levite, the Psalmist had plenty of opportunity to observe people as they came to the temple, so his remarks here are not just theoretical. He himself is obviously someone who is totally devoted to God. He recommends closeness to God from personal experience. Accordingly, this verse is his personal testimony. Not only has he been greatly blessed, he knows it! Actually, most of us are far more blessed than we recognize. Rather than being properly grateful, we tend to take things for granted, and that blocks much of the blessing from reaching our heart. A Japanese proverb says that only the ill know what health is, and I think that’s very perceptive. Trusting in God involves not only knowing that He will get us out of trouble, it’s recognizing that it’s all grace, and we can’t claim credit for any of it. As psychologists have confirmed, gratitude is the key to genuine happiness.

Sometimes I feel like I could be a poster boy for blessing, God has poured so much out on me. I’ve never been wealthy, but in every metric that really counts, I feel like I’m on the high end of the scale. At 74 I’m still active and healthy, and next month we will celebrate 54 years of a marriage that is the envy of many. My material needs are met, and I have more interesting things to do than I can find time for. I could go on and on, because God has been incredibly gracious. I’m not at all sure I could claim my walk has been blameless, but I feel I am a demonstration of verse 11. My task at this point is to be the steward God wants me to be of the blessings He has poured out on me, for His glory.

Father, thank You indeed for Your amazing grace. Thank You that the two brothers arrived safely yesterday, and for the blessed fellowship we have been having already. I pray that the teaching and prayer walking we will be doing over the next three days will accomplish all that You intend, destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and setting people free, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!