Gratitude

All through scripture we find an invitation to give thanks to God. And it’s not so much a command from God as much as it is a invitation to join in appreciating who God is and what he’s done.

It’s like when you celebrate Mother’s day, it’s not like the moms ask to be appreciated. Though at times, me-time is really appreciated. It’s a day when people take time to express their appreciation for that timeless role played in their lives.

Appreciation is a natural response when someone does something for you. Often times, as parents, we know that there are things that our children take for granted and don’t necessarily appreciate because “it’s always been that way”. And when as a parent, I see that happening, I take it upon myself to remind them to appreciate what they have. Though as a child I hated the, “When I was your age..” lecture.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalms 118:1

Psalm 118 is an invitation to give thanks. The phrase “Give Thanks” is more than just a passing “Thank you”. It has to do more with confessing and testifying to ones own self and even those who are around what they are grateful for.

Thanking God is a way of remembering his greatness and also appreciating who he is. It does give way to praise. One can observe this from the Psalm itself.

The invitation to give thanks (Psalm 118:1-4)

The celebration of the many ways in which God has delivered (Psalm 118:5-18)

Recounting the greatness of God (Psalm 118:19-28)

If you ever find yourself feeling like you’re not able to connect with God or you wonder how great is God, really. Thanking him is the best place to start.

As the Psalmist begins to thank God, he begins to confess certain things about who God is to him. Take a look:

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. Psalms 118:6-7 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalms 118:13-14 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. Psalms 118:17

This kind of assurance comes from a heart that remembers. A heart that appreciates. And heart that is anchored in who God is beyond the circumstances, the stress, the constraints that one may be up against.

Remember gratitude leads to praise of God (appreciating who he is) and praise leads us to worship God (responding to who he is by submitting to Him). And a heart of worship is one that is more in tune with his plans, his agenda for our homes, our work, and our relationships with others.

How can you craft your schedule in a way that gratitude becomes an intentional part of your life?

#worship #thanks #gratutude #appreciate #praise #God