Gratitude is an important part of the life of a believer. All through Scripture we are called on to give thanks and praise to our God. In the Old Testament, David had the Ark of God brought into the tent he had provided for it and “He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel” I Chron 16:4 When the wall was rebuilt in Jerusalem, at the dedication Nehemiah said, “…I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks.” Neh 12:31 The Psalms are filled with thanks like this… “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. ” One thing I have noticed in many of David’s Psalms is that he seldom says he FEELS like giving thanks or praising God, he just declares that he WILL do it. It is because of who He is and what He has done that we express our gratitude. Most of the Psalms of David were written while he was in a cave hiding from King Saul and his armies. Yet he chose to praise God whose love endures forever.
Psalms 136 says it well…
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. who made the great lights– His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever… to the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. and who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Psalms 136 1-9, 23-26
During these days when so many things seem to be uncertain, we can choose to look back into the face of a loving God and give Him the praise and thanks He deserves. It’s not about what we have, but it is about Who we know. In 1 Thess. 5:18, Paul reminds us “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” He is worthy. He is worthy. He is worthy of our praise.
Have an awesome Thanksgiving.