The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Wednesday 20 June 2018 "Open Your Eyes!" by Margaret Martin (Australian Capital Territory, Australia) Psalm 40:4-8

(Image: Pixabay)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Wednesday 20 June 2018 "Open Your Eyes!" by Margaret Martin (Australian Capital Territory, Australia) Psalm 40:4-8
Taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8 (NIV))
In the past year we have planted a large courtyard garden of cherry trees, white roses, and a box hedge. In autumn my husband put in about 90 daffodil bulbs among the other plants. Every day since I have enjoyed looking at our garden. Recently I realized, to my surprise, that some of the daffodil shoots were poking up above the soil — a few even quite tall already. I hadn’t expected to see them so soon, so I hadn’t noticed them before.
We often miss God’s blessings in our lives simply because we fail to notice them. In times of difficulty, busyness, or stress we may focus on the tasks we must complete or the problems we must tackle and fail to see the good things that are around us all the time — the beauty of trees and flowers, the kind words of supportive friends, the smile of a loving grandchild, the friendliness of strangers. If we take a moment to open our eyes and hearts, we can give thanks for the blessings that remind us that God loves us and cares for us — even when trying circumstances cause us to forget. Thanks be to God!
TODAY'S PRAYER: Loving God, thank you for your love which surrounds us every day of our lives. Remind us that you care for us, and open our eyes to see the blessings you give us. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Psalm 40:4 (3) He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will look on in awe
and put their trust in Adonai.
5 (4) How blessed the man who trusts in Adonai
and does not look to the arrogant
or to those who rely on things that are false.
6 (5) How much you have done, Adonai my God!
Your wonders and your thoughts toward us —
none can compare with you!
I would proclaim them, I would speak about them;
but there’s too much to tell!
7 (6) Sacrifices and grain offerings you don’t want;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you don’t demand.
Instead, you have given me open ears;
8 (7) so then I said, “Here I am! I’m coming!
In the scroll of a book it is written about me.
9 (8) Doing your will, my God, is my joy;
your Torah is in my inmost being. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Whenever I look for God’s blessings, I always find them.
PRAYER FOCUS: Gardeners
***