Gratitude Series Episode 5

Hello, my walking friend! As you are ramping up your walk, thank Jesus for the health that you have that allows you to walk with him. Even if your physical abilities might be limited, you are able to listen to this podcast, you are able to have a relationship with Jesus, and you are able to walk with him, if not with a fully able body, with a fully able spirit!

Today is the 5th episode in the gratitude series. Each episode during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to meditate on. Today we will be thanking Jesus for his help.

Our first verse to meditate on is Psalm 54:4:

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

When you are faced with a need, whether it’s financial, physical, emotional, or relational, do you tend to worry? Okay, since we are officially walking friends I am going to be transparent with you and admit that I do. In fact, now please, let’s keep this between us, I might even panic sometimes. I hope I am not the only struggling sojourner!

During those times when we need to be rescued from a situation and we are tempted to worry, let’s focus on worship instead. We can worship Jesus by thanking him for his promises to help.

Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to cast our cares on you because you care for us.
Thank you, Jesus, for promising to never leave us no matter what we are going through.
Thank you, Jesus, for promising to be our provider.
As you walk today, look for birds, yes, birds. Whenever you see a bird, think of this scripture, Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Now listen to our second verse for today, Psalm 9:1:

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

As you take a little time to meditate on the truths found in these two verses, think of the wonderful deeds Jesus has done in your life, think of the ways he has provided, think of the ways he has rescued you and remember to thank him.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on these two verses? Here are some things to consider about Jesus’ help:

Jesus doesn’t promise that we will have a problem free life. No, he has already warned us that in this life we will have trouble. But Jesus immediately follows this up with telling us to take heart because he has overcome the world.

When life is challenging, at least for me, it easy to magnify the problems and focus on the situation and worry about the future instead of magnifying Jesus’ promises and focusing on the wonderful deeds he has done in my past.

Yes, this life can be filled with scary challenges and times when all may feel hopeless. But Jesus is our help, he is our hope, he will never leave us. He is the one who rescued us from our sin and the one who will rescue us from this world to be with him for eternity in paradise.

Take some time to thank Jesus for his continual help and for being our rescuer.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for being my help in time of need. Thank you for all the ways you have helped me in the past. Help me trust you with all I will need for today. Help me not to worry about tomorrow, but to put my faith in you for all my tomorrows. Thank you for all the ways you have helped me that I can see, and for how you helped when I didn’t even know I needed it. Thank you for rescuing me from my sin so that I could spend eternity with you. Thank you for being my all-powerful savior. And thank you, Jesus, for always walking with me. Amen.
Here are some questions for you to consider:

Can you think of a specific time when you knew it was Jesus who came to your rescue? Take some time to remember that now and thank Jesus.

Do you struggle with fear and worry? Take some time to remind yourself that the Lord is your help, he will sustain you.

Take some time to thank Jesus for the specific ways he provides for you.

Before we wrap up, listen again to today’s verses:
Psalm 54:4:

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Psalm 9:1:

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and thank Jesus now.

Well, you did it, my friend! Another 10 minutes of walking with Jesus. I hope you have more confidence in Jesus, more peace knowing that your help comes from the Lord. When you are tempted to worry, try worshiping Jesus instead by giving him thanks for all the ways he has provided for you. I pray this attitude of gratitude you are cultivating will also bring you more peace and joy.

Thank you for taking the time to walk with me! But more importantly, you are walking with Jesus, your rescuer!
For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.