Read: Psalms 9-11
Something that really stood out to me in today’s reading was Psalm 9, verses 1 and 2:
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you…” – Psalm 9:1–2
A few important things stand out to me in these verses. First, we are called to be thankful to God. But it doesn’t stop there; we are called to thank Him with all of our heart. Not part of it. Not what’s left over after worry, distraction, self, or other idols. All of it.
If we are constantly praying and asking God for things but rarely thanking Him, something is off. Gratitude should come naturally in our relationship with God. He has already done so much for us all! If our heart and mind are not set on the Lord, then we cannot truly thank Him with all of our heart, because part of it is still elsewhere. I’m not trying to chastise you for forgetting to thank God for answering your prayers. I have forgotten myself. It can also be difficult to realize when, where, and how God is answering your prayers. Just try your best to worship God with a thankful heart.
The next part of this verse that stood out to me is the call to tell of His wonderful deeds. That part feels a little harder, if I’m being honest.
Today, for the first time, I went live on TikTok and read my Bible out loud. I’ve shared biblical content before, but this time I was reading directly from God’s Word and sharing my thoughts in real time with a live audience. When I write these Bible studies, I try to let the Holy Spirit work through me and guide what I write. I pray before I start typing and ask God to lead me. But being behind a screen definitely feels easier and “safer.”
I can sit here and type all day about how good God is. I can even talk to a camera. But talking to someone in real life, face to face, is a completely different story. I’ve tried. One time, I practiced what I was going to say in my car for about ten minutes before going inside. When the moment came, I got nervous, sweaty, and forgot everything I had planned to say. I awkwardly stumbled through what I was trying to say as my face became flushed. Thankfully, the woman I spoke to was kind … but she did point out how nervous I looked.
I recently saw a TikTok of two young women going through drive-thrus, praying for the people they encountered, and, when the opportunity was there, talking to them about being saved through Jesus. They openly admit that it’s awkward and uncomfortable sometimes, but they still do it. That stuck with me. God calls us to make heaven crowded.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19–20)
I know that the Holy Spirit has power over my words. I know it. But stepping out in obedience is still challenging. Fear doesn’t automatically disappear just because faith is present. Read that again.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
All I can do is encourage you, and also myself, that we can do this. And the more we share the good news, the more we talk about how God has worked in our lives, the easier it becomes. Obedience builds confidence, not the other way around. Just like anything that you want to become better at, you have to practice.
And if nothing else, start with your children. Tell them about God’s goodness. Teach them to pray. Teach them to give thanks with their whole hearts. Try your best to model a relationship with God. Our children are our ministry. Sharing God’s glory with them is so important.
Discussion Question
- What fears or insecurities come up when you think about sharing your faith with others?
A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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