September 17

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.—Psalms 103:2.

FOR all God's mercies to me, both negative and positive, am I habitually and truly thankful? Do I count as mercies the evils from which he has saved me? And for all his positive blessings, am I sincerely grateful to him? Does my gratitude go deeper than the lips, even to my inmost heart? Is every blessing received, a fresh bond to bind my soul to the infinite Giver in devout thankfulness and love?

If we turn God's benefits into occasions of sin, we unthankfully imitate the earth from which we were taken; for that makes use of the heat of the sun to send up vapors that obscure the light, and chill the warmth communicated to it.—BISHOP HOPKINS.

A thankful spirit, is a joyous and cheerful spirit. If we would go hopefully and happily through life, we should take God's blessings as he sends them, being grateful for them, and think more of what we have, than of what we have not.

When thou hast truly thanked thy God

For every blessing sent,

But little time will then remain

For murmur or lament.

The mercies which thy thoughts employ,

Will fill thy life with cheerful joy.