By Allen Boatman
Even along with disappointment, victory can come. Act in faith AND obedience.
Even in great betrayal can forgiveness be found. And possibly a purpose.
I’m sure the disciples thought The Messiah was dead forever, which was why they had returned to their previous occupations. But Jesus appeared to them and reminded them to follow Him. And so they left their occupations once again and obeyed.
Nietzsche once said, “I will say it again: what seems to be essential ‘in heaven and on earth’ is that there be obedience in one direction for a long time. In the long term, this always brings and has brought about something that makes life on earth worth living.” I’m not a huge fan of Nietzsche, but I do find myself coming back to this quote time and again. The long obedience of the apostles in one direction accomplished much.
Psalm 145
Beginning and ending with praise and gratitude. David’s heart in Psalm 145 is that of praise and gratitude.
A while back I tried an experiment. Before doing anything else, when I sat up in the morning, I lifted a word of praise and thankfulness to the Father. The really cool thing is that it rolled throughout the day. It didn’t stop with the first prayer of thanksgiving, but kept coming back and just “rolled “throughout the day and really affected my attitude. I’m going to try ending my day with thanks and praise as well. Follow up with me in February and ask me how it went.
2 Samuel 7:18 struck me as needing to be included with the Psalm 145 reference.
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?”
Let your day begin and end with a word of praise and thanksgiving!
Father, I am grateful for the lessons, failures, and successes of 2025. I’m learning to be joyful in the trials. In my pursuit of the goals of 2026, may you be the center, the motivation, the heart of my efforts. May your agenda in 2026 be accomplished through me. May my actions and lifestyle bring glory to your name. Help me to be aware that you are constantly with me.
Amen