A couple of weeks ago I was driving in my car listening to one of my playlists, and one of my favorite songs came on…” Good times” by The Jacksons. I’ve listened to this song soo many times, but this time the verse of the song touched me in a different way. It made me think of how great God is and how it’s a good time when I’m spending time with Him.

**I don’t own the rights to this song**

I think about the good times
We shared together
Whenever I think of you

Something goes through my mind
Through my mind

My heart starts churning

Although this song was not written about God, the words had me reflect on my relationship with Father God through His son Jesus Christ.

Often, we can find that our thoughts are captivated by God when we’re in a pit. When we’re in need or despair it’s easy to run to God and cry out to Him.

All of us at some point will face daunting problems that stagger us. But how often do we just take time to relish in the good times we share with Father God? Unfortunately, in our affluent culture it’s easy to take many of God’s daily blessings for granted. Therefore, we should become intentional in asking God to give us eyes to see all of the wonderful blessings He bestows upon us each day.

In Psalm 145 David is very creative in speaking out thankfulness to God. This psalm is great in helping us find innovative ways to praise God. Finding innovative ways to praise God helps discipline our hearts to continually ponder who God is.

Going back to the verse of the song. The words made me meditate on who God is.” Whenever I think of you, something goes through my mind.” When I re- read Psalm 145 it brought a renewed joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. I wasn’t asking God for anything; I wasn’t in despair; I was just basking in the glory of who He is and thanking the Holy Spirit for reminding me of all the good times I’ve shared with God.

Remembering all the good times I’ve shared with God deepens and cultivates my attitude of gratitude as well as grows my faith in God. It keeps me grounded and reassures me that no situation overshadows the time I spend with God.

I implore you to take some time to read and digest Psalm 145. Begin to build your list of gratitude by writing down some of the blessings and gifts God has given you.

PEARLStoPONDER: Reflect on some of your good times with God and share them in the comments.



Psalm 59:16--But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Palm 103-- Bless the Lord, O my soul,   and all that is within me,  bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,  and forget not all his benefits,³ who forgives all your iniquity,  who heals all your diseases,⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,  who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,⁵ who satisfies you with good  so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.⁶ The Lord works righteousness  and justice for all who are oppressed.⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,   his acts to the people of Israel.⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.⁹ He will not always chide,   nor will he keep his anger forever.¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,    nor repay us according to our iniquities.¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children,    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.¹⁴ For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;  he flourishes like a flower of the field;¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,   and its place knows it no more.¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,  and his righteousness to children's children,¹⁸ to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,   and his kingdom rules over all.²⁰ Bless the Lord, O you his angels,   you mighty ones who do his word,  obeying the voice of his word!²¹ Bless the Lord, all his hosts,    his ministers, who do his will!²² Bless the Lord, all his works,  in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Luke 17:11-19--¹¹ On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,^[a] who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”