Giving Thanks to God
Today’s Bible reading* records the psalmists praising and giving thanks to God. In their worship, the psalmists recognize God’s absolute sovereignty over all things.
They thank God for creation, people, God’s faithfulness, His grace and compassion, His redemption of His people, His everlasting steadfast love, the fact that God hears and cares for His people, and the fact that no one is like Him.
The psalmists repeat giving thanks, but they do it in a variety of ways. They are captivated by God and all that He does.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1, 29 (CSB)
Application
Far too often we Americans think of giving thanks as just something we do on the fourth Thursday of November. And most of that is sitting around a table with our families and friends, eating ourselves silly only to plop down in front of a TV to watch our favorite football team. Or fall asleep from too much “turkey chemical”.
Our American way of life and our American culture of self-reliance contribute to an attitude of ingratitude. Why be thankful when you can do — and have done — everything for yourself? Many of us rarely express gratitude to others for the “little things”. Giving thanks goes against our pride and requires humility.
Take a few minutes today in prayer doing nothing but giving thanks and praising God. Thank Him for each thing, not just “everything”. Look at how the psalmists break down the things they give thanks for, even down to the little things. And especially the big things. Thank Him for all of the blessings He has given you. Thank Him for the ways He has blessed you. Use the Psalms as models for giving thanks.
If “Our God is in heaven and does whatever he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3) is true, everything He has given you and done for you was because it pleased Him to do so. Consider His sovereignty over your life.
And give thanks.
* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
Psalms 111
Psalms 112
Psalms 113
Psalms 114
Psalms 115
Psalms 116
Psalms 117
Psalms 118
This devotional was originally published on May 21, 2021.
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