Psalm 116:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my
supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call
upon Him as long as I live.
He had experienced God's goodness to him in answer to
prayer: He has heard my voice and my supplications. David, in straits, had
humbly and earnestly begged mercy of God, and God had heard him, that is, had
graciously accepted his prayer, taken cognizance of his case, and granted him
an answer of peace. He has inclined his ear to me. This intimates his readiness
and willingness to hear prayer; he lays his ear, as it were, to the mouth of
prayer, to hear it, though it be but whispered in groanings that cannot be uttered.
[Matthew Henry Commentary]
A growing body of research has tied an attitude of
gratitude with a number of positive emotional and physical health benefits. A
November 2010 article in The Wall Street Journal summarized the research:
Adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy,
more optimism, more social connections and more happiness than those who do
not, according to studies conducted over the past decade. They're also less
likely to be depressed, envious, greedy, or alcoholics. They earn more money,
sleep more soundly, exercise more regularly, and have greater resistance to
viral infections.
Now, researchers are finding that gratitude brings
similar benefits in children and adolescents. [Studies also show that] kids who
feel and act grateful tend to be less materialistic, get better grades, set
higher goals, complain of fewer headaches and stomach aches, and feel more
satisfied with their friends, families, and schools than those who don't.
The researchers concluded, "A lot of these findings
are things we learned in kindergarten or our grandmothers told us, but now we
have scientific evidence to prove them …. The key is not to leave it on the
Thanksgiving table." [Melinda Beck, "Thank You. No, Thank You,"
The Wall Street Journal (11-23-10)]
Keep your heart open to giving thanks to The Lord. For
The Lord hears our voice and responds with love, mercy and grace.
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