Ang ihandog ninyo sa Diyos ay ang inyong pasalamat; ang pangakong handog ninyo ay tuparin ninyong lahat.  

Awit 50:14

Sumama ang lagay ni Gabby matapos mabasa ang walang puknat na mga balita tungkol sa pulitika, mga sakuna, pati na rin mga bad news tungkol sa kanyang pamilya. “Nakakayamot!” kanyang nabigkas.

Kontrahin natin and bad mood na ‘yan with God’s Word. Sa Awit 50:14 ay ganito ang nakasulat:“Ang ihandog ninyo sa Diyos ay ang inyong pasalamat; ang pangakong handog ninyo ay tuparin ninyong lahat.”

Ang key word sa verse na ito ay “handog” or gift. Sa ibang translations, they refer to it as a “sacrifice,” kasi nga naman ang tunay na gift costs the giver something. ’Di ba kapag nagreregalo tayo, either gumagastos tayo, o nagse-set aside tayo ng oras outside of our regular schedule, to either create the gift, deliver the gift, write a sweet note, or wrap it nicely. lt’s because we want to show the person receiving the gift how much we love and appreciate them.

Pero sa totoo lang — in difficult times, what exactly can we thank God for?

God’s Word asks us to be intentional — to make giving thanks a promise that we need to fulfill… “pangakong handog ninyo ay tuparin ninyong lahat”. God even wants us to make it a habit. “Kaya’t lagi tayong mag-alay ng papuri bilang handog sa Diyos…” (Mga Hebreo 13:15).

Bakit nga ba? Kasi tayo rin ang makikinabang. When we offer a sacrifice of praise, we partner with the Holy Spirit to shift our perspective. When we declare God’s promises and remember His faithfulness, we are reminded that He is in control. And God sees us! Sa Psalm 50:23 (NIV) He says, “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” Our praise, though it costs us, brings us closer to the heart of God. We gain peace that surpasses human understanding. Kapatid, your sacrifice is precious to God, and He is with you through every trial, ready to strengthen and carry you.