30/12/2023
NEVER FORGET THE BENEFITS OF MEN
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: - Psalms 103:2kjv
"The pages of the scriptures are full of many inspirations and motivations emphasizing the necessity of remembering God in our daily routine, particularly in giving Him due thanks and gratitude. Humans are said to forget things easily due to the constant influx of new information. Therefore, the commandments to remember God are there for us to prioritize that information in our hearts.
The Psalmist reminded himself to recall the goodness of God to express thanks. However, it is sometimes easier to give thanks to God than to thank men. This is because there are scriptures, sermons, and teachings emphasizing this reality, which is indeed beneficial. Yet, I have found that those who cannot appreciate God find it difficult to appreciate men.
We live in a world full of ungrateful people who neither express gratitude to God nor to men. They enjoy the blessings of God and men, yet they complain, grumble, and lament. Choose not to be one of them.
The children of Israel in the days of Gideon were an example of this. The scriptures say,
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a wh***ng after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shown unto Israel.' - Judges 8:33-35 KJV
We know how God used Gideon to deliver Israel from the hands of their enemies. It took courage, resilience, and risk to his life and his family to carry out such an assignment. But when he died, the people returned to serving idols and forgot the good things he did for them, showing no kindness to his family.
As this year is wrapping up, do not be an ungrateful human being. Remember the benefits of God and of those whom God used to bless you this year. This is not a call for human worship but to show kindness through words, resources, and other means as much as God has empowered you.
The story of your life won't be complete if certain individuals or people are not involved. You are a product of many people's support. Remember the benefits of God and of men.
Remember that every single help or support you enjoyed from men came through sacrifice. Honor and celebrate their sacrifices. This is not an attempt to give the glory or praises due to men but an acknowledgment of men's sacrifices over you. Appreciate your parents, spouse, boss, pastors, friends, and others for positioning themselves to be used by God to provide you help and support.
Beloved, as you show forth gratitude and thankfulness to God and men, you are setting the pace for greater support and help from God and men.
As this year ends in less than 48 hours, I'm using this opportunity to appreciate God for His goodness and faithfulness over my life, family, and ministry. To everyone who positioned themselves to be used by God to provide help and support to us in the family and ministry, we acknowledge your kindness and sacrifice. We pray that the Lord bless and enlarge your coast. You have sacrificed a lot to ensure we fulfill God's mandate for our generation; may the Lord remember your sacrifice and offerings and crown your efforts with tangible results.
Finally, we want to encourage you _not to be weary in well-doing, for in due season, you will reap if you faint not."
Happy New Year in Advance
Olayinka Joshua Olaosebikan
