"Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare."
Psalm 75:1
Psalm 75:1
With Thanksgiving coming up soon thankfulness has been on the mind. Of course, being thankful should be something we do all year round. Whether we live in a simple shack or a magnificent mansion we have much to be thankful for. "Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people" (1 Chronicles 16:8). The Lord blesses us so abundantly! None of us are worthy of the blessings that we have but God is worthy of all good things, including our praise and adoration. We should share all the wonderful things He does so that all the glory goes to Him alone. "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We shouldn't only be thankful for the good things but also for the trials and temptations because "the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3). He knows what He's doing so with a grateful heart we should accept everything He allows to enter our life. We should also thank each other for the things they do for us like when someone prepares a meal for us, helps us with a chore, or gives us a gift. Most of us have been taught to politely say "Thank you" at the correct times but we need to make sure it's from a grateful heart and not just a 'well I have to do it' kind if thing. There's a story of a farmer's wife who was supposed to prepare meals for the men working in the fields. They came in and scarfed down the hot meals regularly without thanking God or the woman. Noticing this, she decided to teach them a lesson on gratitude and served them oats and hay for their next meal. They asked what was going on when they saw it and she explained that she prepared for them more than they even deserved and how she worked so hard to always get a good meal on the table for them without ever hearing a "Thank you" to herself or to God. Hopefully these men became more thankful for what they had. We shouldn't complain about anything but be grateful for all things. This is very difficult to do (and is something that I struggle with) but we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). May we give thanks to the Lord!!
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Happy Thanksgiving!