“The Lord spoke to Moses saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy”. - Leviticus 19:1-2. The Israelites who were brought out of Egypt fell into deep sin. Hence, God called them to be purified and to live a holy life. Even today, we are the Israelites, who fall into sin every day. “Jesus has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love”. - Ephesians 1:4. But we are so caught up by the pleasures of this material world that we always give in to the desires of our flesh. The word of God clearly tells us, “Do not love the world or things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world”. - John 2:15-16.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” – Jer 33:3. The is a very big promise the Lord is giving his children. Whenever we call on to him he surely answers us in his time and in his ways according to his will which is always for our good.

King David trusted in the Lord God alone and always called on to him and received blessings. “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies.” – Psalm 18:3. “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” – Psalm 18:6. “I sought the Lord and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4. “This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.” – Psalm 34:6

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations.” – Psalm 108:3. “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds.” – Psalm 75:1.

My dear brothers and sisters, from the time we were conceived in the womb of our mother till this very moment, the Lord has protected us from all evil, accidents, untimely deaths, diseases, sicknesses; the Lord has provided us all our needs, wants, desires, food, clothing, shelter; the Lord has guided us through all our struggles, our weaknesses our plans and our decisions; and how many times we have really thanked the Lord, our God, Jesus Christ? This is one question we really need to ask ourselves.