Praising through the Bible

This week in the Bible in 90 Days I read two of my favorite books: Ecclesiastes and Isaiah.

I love the down-to-earth viewpoint of Ecclesiastes. It's full of doom and gloom and real life. It's a book to read when you feel like Eeyore. Yet every once in awhile the author looks up to get His creator's viewpoint and expresses a sheer enjoyment of life:

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him? (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 NLT)
...People should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:13 NLT)
...To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life---this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.
(Ecclesiastes 5:20 NLT)

Isaiah, too, has its share of doom and gloom. The nation of Israel had turned from God, and it was Isaiah's job to tell them of their coming troubles. Yet within the prophecies of judgment are God's promises to always love and care for His people, and to rescue them when they turned back to Him.
For the mountains may move
and the hills disappear,
but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”
says the Lord, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NLT)

I praise You God today
for avocado on my soup
for children giggling in the playroom
for snow on the mountains
and for Your faithful love.

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