When my husband, Joe, took his car for regular maintenance recently, he was hit with an unexpected bill that caused him some concern. When he told me about it, I silently prayed, "Lord, this unexpected expense didn't come as a surprise to You. You saw it coming, and I believe that You will provide the funds we need to cover these charges. Please do it in a way that will simply amaze Joe." Over the next few days, enough money came our way from various sources that enabled us to pay those auto expenses with ease. Joe told me, "Look at that - God provided the exact amount we needed to pay that car repair bill!" When I asked Joe if he had remembered to thank God for the awesome way He came through for us, he said that he had. I told him that it's scriptural to thank the Lord more than once for His blessings, and that David the shepherd-king was in the habit of doing this very thing.

David wrote: "I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising Him to everyone." (Psalm 109:30 NLT) I have always tried to remember to thank God more than once for each of His gifts, but recently, I have become more serious about it, and I've been praising Him more and more for all the good in my life. And you know what? I've seen Him do some incredible things to help and deliver my loved ones and me in all kinds of situations.

Right after David says that he will give God "repeated thanks," he says: "For He stands beside the needy, ready to save them." (Psalm 109:31 NLT) I have discovered that there is a definite connection between continually praising God, and witnessing Him move mightily on our behalf. I encourage you to begin giving the Lord "repeated thanks" for all the good in your own life, and watch Him give you more and more to thank and praise Him for!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I have demonstrated a lack of gratitude. Give me a truly thankful heart, and teach me how to give continual thanks to You. Remind me often of all the good in my life, including all of the loved ones You have blessed me with. Fill me with such a profound attitude of gratitude that it will draw others to You through me. Thank You that as I follow Your will in this area, I will have more and more to thank You for!

- J. M. Farro