Why Should We Be Thankful?
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Why I Am Thankful
I’ve often heard people say something like, “What does God want from me?” Sometimes, it’s said with an air of exasperation or as a plea, and at other times, it’s an honest question of the heart.
God doesn't need anything. He also doesn't ask for anything. And yet, every major religion has its own ideas on what to give or offer to God. Most of these ideas center on each religion’s concept of God, including the perception of there being many gods.
In more primitive religious cultures, where God is seen as impersonal and distant, people have tried to appease God with countless offerings and sacrifices. Even in religions where God is known as personal and approachable, spiritual leaders differ on what pleases God and what He requires of His followers.
The older I get, the more I am thankful. Thankful to God for who He is, how He continues to sustain me, and how He’s blessed me in so many ways. I often thank Him for simple and mundane things—having running water, my wife and family, food to eat, a roof over my head, and so on.
I don’t have a set formula or pattern for giving thanks. It’s more organic—in the moment of daily life. I want to be thankful throughout the day up till I lay down to sleep at night.
When I seem to be taking too much for granted—God’s provision, His blessings, His enduring mercy and grace—I want to remind myself of God’s goodness to shake myself out of my spiritual lethargy.
What are you thankful for? Are you thankful, and if so, why? If you find it hard to be thankful sometimes, read through Psalm 136—all 26 verses of it. These first few verses at the beginning (see below) will help get you started in the right direction.
Scripture
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good,
because his mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods
because his mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords
because his mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the only one who does miraculous things—
because his mercy endures forever.
to the one who made the heavens by his understanding—
because his mercy endures forever.
(Psalm 136:1-5 GW) [Context– Psalm 136]
Reflections and Insights
This psalm is a responsive song of praise. It may have been sung when King Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem and at the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 7:3, 6).
Psalm 136 is a simple expression of praise and thankfulness for who God is and of His goodness. As it's sung, those who are to sing in response are reminded of God’s sovereignty, and that He is their Creator.
Then the psalmist reminds God's people of their deliverance out of Egypt and through the wilderness into the Promised Land. This psalm reminded the people of Israel how God intervened in their history, even when they were rebellious and wayward.
As said earlier, Psalm 136 is a responsive song. The song leader declares a reason to be thankful, and then the rest of the singers respond with the same refrain—because his mercy endures forever—twenty-six times. It’s very repetitious.
The idea of the repetition is to help God’s people get their eyes off of themselves and to focus on God and His faithfulness.
It’s easy to get caught up in negative, repetitive self-talk, which gets amplified by the discouraging things broadcast across social media and cable news.
If you want to break that wretched cycle of negative noise, start being thankful—even for the smallest of reasons! Be thankful to God for who He is and what He’s done in your life.
Reflection—
How and when do you thank God for who He is and how He's blessed you? God's not asking anything of us except for a gracious response from our hearts for who He is and for how He's blessed us.
Prayer Focus—
Make time each day to give thanks to the Lord—even throughout the day. If you feel overwhelmed by doubt, fear, anxiety, or any other troubles, focus your heart and mind upon the Lord. Remember who the Lord is—He is Lord of all! Then give thanks for His faithfulness, goodness, mercy, and grace.
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Click the link for a free Psalms Study Guide
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