Continuously Monitor Your Praise Quotient . . .

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You." (Psalm 139:17-18 NKJ)

I've counted blessings before. There is even a hymn that exhorts me to count them. I've never counted my thoughts about God though. And I'm not aware of any hymn urging me to count my them. There is a Scripture, however, that encourages me to do so . . . "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14 NKJ).

My days are spent thinking about God. It is the nature of my pastoral responsibility and work. Yet, as I consider this beautiful Psalm -- the Word of God, -- I realize that it is a praise Psalm. Praise to God because he searches my heart and knows me. Praise to God because he knows more about me than I know myself.

Praise to God for his "thoughts of me!" The number of his thoughts about me are like the sand and range beyond my ability to track. Such concern for my well-being is so precious to me. The real issue isn't how much I think about God, but how much he thinks about me.

When I sit down he's thinking. When I stand and move about, he's thinking. When I come in and go out, he's thinking. When I ascend to the heights of joy and heavenly thrill, he's thinking. When I sink to the hell of depression and anguish, he's thinking. When I'm flying high with the eagles, he's thinking. And when I'm drowning in the sea of despair, he hasn't forgotten me.

When I'm sleeping, he's with me and when I awake, I am still with him. I am so glad that he never leaves me nor forsakes me! Praise his name forever!

Dear Father, thank you for thinking of me. Empower me to keep my thoughts fixed on you. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Praise God today because he's thinking of you.