TRANSFORMING GRATITUDE: REFUGE

We are almost seven weeks away from Thanksgiving, but it is never too early to talk about the power of gratitude in our lives.  We exist in an atmosphere of entitlement and consumption.  It is the air that we breathe.  Gratitude is increasingly difficult because we feel as if we deserve more, we need more, or we should have more.  One of the sources of anger in our lives is this feeling of being “owed.”  What would change if this feeling shifted from “entitled” to “enriched,” from “selfishness” to “sacrifice,” or from “consumption” to “compassion?”  This week, we begin the series Transforming Gratitude.  Gratitude has the power to transform our perspective, our desires, and our spirits.  Gratitude is powerful, even when we give thanks for simple things like a beautiful day, a good cup of coffee, or our relationships.  What about when we give thanks to God?  This takes the power of gratitude to an entirely different level!  We begin this journey to Thanksgiving Day with Psalm 16 and the sermon Refuge. King David had found that the best security and safety in life was not his strength, shield, or sword, but it was the shelter of his living God!   God was his refuge and protection.  Presently, you may feel as if you have no one watching over you, but we pray as you read this Psalm, you sense the mighty arm of God transforming your fear into faith, and your doubts into determination.  

Psalm 16:

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (NIV)