PSALM 40:3

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

TO PONDER

If there was one creative skill I wished I could learn or had some natural ability in, it would be composing music. I have learned a basic level of competence with one or two instruments and have always enjoyed singing, particularly singing with others in choirs and small vocal ensembles, but I have always had to sing other people's songs. I would love to have the creative ability to put some of my own thoughts, experiences and ideas to music in a way that helped me to communicate more powerfully, in the way that only music can, the deep things of life and faith.

I'm not sure that today's verse should be understood only in terms of actual sining songs and hymns of praise. I think that it's more about a change in attitude or outlook; it's about a new perspective.

In life we really have to choices. We can whinge and moan when things don't go the way we want or might have planned and that seems to be the approach of many people in the world today. The alternative is to choose to focus on the things that have gone right, to direct your gaze and focus towards those things we have to be grateful for. For those of us with faith in Jesus, we have one thing we can always be thankful for regardless of our circumstance. We can give praise and thanks to God for the assurance of our salvation in Christ.

It's when a world obsessed with whinging and complaining and demanding that their individual rights be upheld even at the cost of others, sees God's people just getting on with business and doing so with a thankful heart for all that God has done, that they begin to sit up and take notice. So are there some things that you have been moaning and complaining about to God? It's okay to do that, but in doing it, be prepared to let him put a new song on your lips, a new refrain of prise and thankfulness for what he has done and let that song be the one the world hears as you live your life in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER: Jesus, I'm sorry for the times that the demands of life cause me to grumble and complain and to lose sight of all the wonderful things you have done for me. Please give me a thankful heart and a song of praise to sing so that I can show and tell the world the greatness of all that you have done not only for me, but also for them. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.