It’s been said pigs look down to eat until all their food is gone. They never look up to see where it comes from. Sadly, that is how many people are too. They think their achievement is due solely to their own ingenuity–not because others and God have helped them. The psalmist did not make that mistake. We read in Psalm 40: “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.” Today, grateful people realize God and others have assisted them in being who and what they are; so they take time to show gratitude, and to say “Thank you” to God and to others.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
