You Stretch Out The Heavens
Bless the
LORD, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor
and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens
like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the
clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your
messengers, fire and flame your ministers.
You set the
earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken. You cover it with
the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your
rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight. They rose
up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed
for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not
again cover the earth.
You make
springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to
very wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst. By the streams the birds
of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty
abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your
work.
You cause the
grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food
from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face
shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.
We are often
distracted by small disappointments, and we are prone to forget the innumerable
blessings we receive from the LORD. The good things are far more important that
the adversities that take up a lot of our attention.
Rather than
concentrating on the trials we face every day, fix your attention on your
blessings. Keep praising the LORD, who takes care of us, each and every day of
our lives.
Spend your
time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.