Daily Affirmations - Day 7 - Always Giving Thanks - Just as Before

Day 7: Just as before

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published [forbidding prayer to anyone but the king], he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10).

O Father, You are our God, our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). You have not promised us a trouble-free life in this broken world, but You have promised Your help, Your strength, and Your shelter. We remember the assurance You gave to Your ancient people:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2).

You have promised to be with us always (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6). But it is especially in the waters, and the rivers, and the fire and the flames that we prove the depth of these promises, and understand that You are faithful, trustworthy and true.

We are grateful that we can cry out to you in times of trouble— grateful that You have told us, "Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15). But teach us to know You before the day of evil comes (Ephesians 6:13), so that we will not waver or faint when it does.

O Lord, may our hearts seek You at all times. Grant us the desire, like Daniel, to build holy habits of prayer, thanksgiving, and humility, in order that we may learn to know You and to trust You.

Let our lives be marked by a long-standing, strong, natural, and unwavering dependence on You. Help us to come with eager constancy before Your throne in times of rest and tranquility, so that when difficulty, pressure, threat, and crisis come, we will get down on our knees and pray, giving thanks to our God, just as we have done before.

Click here to read the main devotional theme