A handful of thorns

Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!               — Psalm 107:21

Jeremy Taylor was a 17th-century English cleric who was severely persecuted for his faith. But though his house was plundered, his family left destitute, and his property confiscated, he continued to count the blessings he could not lose.

He wrote: “They have not taken away my merry countenance, my cheerful spirit, and a good conscience they have still left me with the providence of God, and all His promises . . . my hopes of Heaven, and my charity to them, too, and still I sleep and digest, I eat and drink, I read and meditate. And he that hath so many causes of joy, and so great should never choose to sit down upon his little handful of thorns.”

Although we may not be afflicted with the grievous difficulties that Jeremy Taylor endured, all of us face trials and troubles. Are we grumbling? Or do we refuse to let our “little handful of thorns,” our troubles, obscure the overwhelming abundance of our blessings?

When we feel like complaining, let’s remember God’s faithfulness and “give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! . . . Remember His marvelous works which He has done!” (Ps. 105:1, 5).     — Vernon Grounds

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost;

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. — Oatman

READ: Psalm 105:1-5

Spend your time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.

The Bible in one year:

• Jeremiah 28-30

• Proverbs 4:18-27