The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 66:8-14, “Bless our God, O peoples, And sound His praise abroad,

9 Who keeps us in life, And does not allow our feet to slip.

10 For Thou hast tried us, O God; Thou hast refined us as silver is refined.

11 Thou didst bring us into the net; Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins.

12 Thou didst make men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; Yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance.

13 I shall come into Thy house with burnt offerings; I shall pay Thee my vows,

14 Which my lips uttered And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.”

Nana and I were in a medical facility the other day, waiting for a

procedure. An elderly woman came from an inner room, using a

walker. I noticed that she would need help at the door, so I simply

arose and went to the door and held it open so she could exit. It

was really nothing, yet she said “Thank you” several times. As I

thought on this incident, I couldn’t help but wonder how many

times I’ve forgotten to say “Thank you.” Not many, I trust.

In the verses of this psalm, the writer praises the LORD and urges

others to do the same. He notes that he has been through the

proverbial “fire,” where people have strenuously opposed him.

He notes that he has been severely oppressed in virtually every

possible way. Moreover, he says that the LORD has been

responsible for leading him into and through these violent

experiences before bringing him safely out. What the psalmist

does not forget is to say, “Thank You, LORD.” He states it clearly:

“I shall pay Thee my vows, which my lips uttered and my mouth

spoke when I was in distress.”

Far too often, we fail to understand why the LORD puts us into

difficult situations. We also often cry out to Him for deliverance,

and promise Him many things. Yet, when we are delivered, we

forget our promises and act as if we saved ourselves. Shame!

In the concluding two verses of this psalm, he repeats, “But

certainly, God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of

my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my

prayer, nor His lovingkindness from me.”

We thank you for all your prayers for us! The LORD is hearing!

We love and care for you all,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”