Offer to God

   a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows

   to the Most High,

and call upon Me

        in the day of trouble.

I will deliver you,

and you shall glorify Me.

          Psalm 50. 14-15

(The sacrifice of thanksgiving

   is thanking God

   even before we see the outcome,

             even on the journey.

That measure of gratefulness

                     is not a feeling,

     but the substance of

     trusting Him.

Not especially thankful

           for the circumstances,

             ignoring the hardship,

     but thankful in the circumstances,

                   responsive to them,

         trusting His sovereignty

         and relying on His strength.

Calling upon Him

            directs our thoughts

    and aligns our hearts with His.

God is redeeming,

                     even this.

He is bringing His glory

    in unlikely situations.

His glory does not just happen.

            It unfolds.)

O LORD,

We are thankful to You

  even in what we

  cannot possibly understand.

Help us to follow You

           into Your will.

May we be faithful to You

   in all that You

   strategically place before us

             throughout this day

and offer to You

  whatever sacrifice of thanksgiving

   brings You glory today.