November 15 - Thankfulness

Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

Psalm 28:6 (NKJV)

Thought for Today:  Each morning at exactly 8:45 Nathaniel ordered coffee and a bagel at Jessie's Coffee Shop on his way to the office.  When he first started stopping by Jessie's he, being not very talkative on the way to his world of stock trading, would simply bark out what he wanted.  Being a good business person, Jessie got to know her customers and, after about a week or so, would have Nathaniel's order ready for him when he arrived.  They very rarely exchanged words, he would pay her four dollars and 38 cents in exact change and be on his way.  Jessie longed once just to have a conversation with Nathaniel.  Yet, their exchanges were all business, at times ungracious.

It is interesting that the word voice is attached to supplications in this verse.  The Hebrew word, ק֤וֹל, is used 165 times in the Old Testament,  mostly referring to voice. There are a couple of occasions where the word is used to imply noise, proclamation and even the bleating of sheep.   How would you describe the voice of your prayers?  Perhaps, like Nathaniel, you just walk over to God and expect Him to know what you want, really not even needing a laundry list.  Maybe you ask for things quietly, not wanting to bother the Lord.  Perhaps you do bring Him a laundry list of things for Him to fix in your life. One thing is certain: we need to bless the Lord for hearing our prayers.  How do you bless Him?  By being thankful.  The Hausa people of Nigeria have a saying: "Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot."   

One day at exactly 8:45 Nathaniel walked into Jessie's Coffee Shop and was handed a burnt English muffin and a cup of tea.  Taken aback, Nathaniel asked Jessie why she had given him this instead of his usual order.  Jessie replied, "I just wanted to see whether you would even bother to notice.  For years now I've given you your choice for breakfast, never once being thanked."  Nathaniel walked away with his head down, for even he, hardened by the business world, knew that he was wrong.

Today we have a choice.  Do we continue to ask the Lord to bless without blessing back with thanksgiving or do we come to the Lord in thanksgiving, not expecting more, but simply basking in His presence and all that He has done for us?