Day 5

Deuteronomy 16:11-16

What is your response when good things happen to you?

In this passage, God tells his people they are to celebrate onto him, with feasting for a whole week after harvesting. He desires for his people to be joyful, for he, the LORD would bless the harvest and the works of their hands.

The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God. God also says that we are to remember that it’s him who gives us the ability to make wealth.

In some of my husband Jeff’s and my hardest times, I sensed God reminding me of these truths. I remember scrounging for food in the back of the freezer and finding no meat but a deer liver to cook. I did my best to make it into chili to hide the taste. (It is a well-known fact I have never cared much for the taste of venison, especially liver, since I was a little girl).

We blessed the food, and then proceeded to eat it. I took one taste and got up for the ketchup. Then it was the barbecue sauce. Finally, as I was dousing my chili with ranch dressing, Jeff looked over at me. “What is it?” he asked with a curious grin spreading over his face.

“Deer liver chili” I confessed.

All at once a scant meal was transformed into a feast of laughter. In fact, I almost fell out of my chair because I was laughing so hard.

We who live in America are mostly bothered by first world problems. God has blessed us with so much! Even when we are needy and have only a little to eat, it is much more than those in third world countries.

When was the last time you really meant it when you thanked God for the food? When was the last time you looked over your wardrobe and thanked God you don’t have to go without clothing? When was the last time you celebrated with a jubilant heart, the blessings God has given to you?

God desires me and you to live life realizing that he is the one who has blessed us.

Today, celebrate the Lord’s goodness to you by doing a prayer walk inside the place where you live. Look in your cupboards and rejoice in the LORD, even if you don’t have much, rejoice thanking him. Look to him for future provision as you celebrate.

Prayer: Our God, Jehovah-Jireh, you revealed yourself in the Old testament by this name meaning “the Lord will provide” or “the Lord will see to it”.

I rejoice for you have blessed me! You have provided for me. And you will be faithful. You don’t promise a rose garden, a life of luxury, or even the American Dream. But you promise to be all we need.

How beautiful that even in the wilderness, when your people journeyed through a place of scarcity, you provided manna, daily for them to eat. Likewise, Jesus Christ is our daily bread, giving of himself freely to all of us who will come to him with our hungry hearts. Help us always remember to come and to be grateful. You will never leave us empty. All we need do is come to you. Help us to rejoice in you, that our joy may reflect back to you the thanksgiving you deserve! Amen.