Are you like me? The Thanksgiving menu is posted to the refrigerator door. You’ve looked at the list and double checked the pantry for all the ingredients. It’s down to crunch time. The turkey is thawing, the potatoes are waiting to be peeled, the dressing/stuffing will be mixed tomorrow night and the pies are ready.
Yep! It’s all but done. On that list of things that need to be made are the family favorites.
This morning I was reading Psalm 145, as I always do. I read through it quickly, as if to check it off the list and move on, when I was impressed with stop and read it again. That’s when I felt the Lord minister to my heart that this is one of His family favorites, so I read it again – savored it and tried to enjoy it to the fullest.
“I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I’ll bless your name into eternity. 2 I’ll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity.
3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.
4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. 5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders.
6 Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
7 The fame of your goodness spreads across the country; your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.
8 God is all mercy and grace— not quick to anger, is rich in love.
9 God is good to one and all; everything he does is soaked through with grace.
10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God; your holy people bless you. They talk about the glories of your rule, they exclaim over your splendor,
12 Letting the world know of your power for good, the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal; you never get voted out of office. God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does.
14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
15 All eyes are on you, expectant; you give them their meals on time. 16 Generous to a fault, you lavish your favor on all creatures.
17 Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it.
19 He does what’s best for those who fear him— hears them call out, and saves them.
20 God sticks by all who love him, but it’s all over for those who don’t.
21 My mouth is filled with God’s praise. Let everything living bless him, bless his holy name from now to eternity!” Psalm 145 MSG
Now you may want to read that again because I’m sure you will find something in these verses that will become a favorite. Maybe it’s the fact that God is all mercy and grace or that He is good to everyone. How about the part that says He picks us up when we fall or that He is never voted out of office? Perhaps it’s the part that says He is generous to a fault and He listens when we pray.
God’s word is like a good meal; it contains all our favorites including dessert. The goodness of the Lord never ceases.