THANKSGIVING

Each day should begin with a word of appreciation and gratitude. As Christians, who live a life of sacrifice, when we offer thanks to God, we are giving of ourselves and demonstrating our appreciation for His hand on our life.

Forms of Thanksgiving

Tithes & Offering

Our tithes belong to God. When we offer these together with an offering to the God, who made it possible for us to obtain such increase, we acknowledge His favour and His grace. When a child asks nothing of a parent, but continually shows affection and says ‘thank you’ to his or her parent, the latter’s focus is turned favourably towards that child.

Likewise, God provides for and protects us. The Bible tells us in Psalm 91:10-11 that no evil shall befall us for the Lord our God shall give His angels charge over us. As God granted him wisdom to accumulate great wealth, King Solomon built a house for the Lord to dwell in. The Book of Psalms is representative of the heartfelt thanks, which King David continually poured out to God and David’s story demonstrates the relationship, which he developed with God. We can partake of that relationship.

Giving Alms

We may show our gratitude to God by helping those, who are less fortunate than us. The stronger ones must assist those, who are weak. God blesses us to enable us to demonstrate His love by blessing those around us. Psalm 68:19 says, ‘…blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits…’

Prayer & Praise

The words, which we utter and the thoughts on which we meditate serve as a conduit of thanks. The Old Testament shows that the children of God offered sacrifices of livestock on an altar in varying circumstances, such as when God delivered them from the hands of their enemies. Psalm 50:14-15 says, ‘…Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.…’ Our unceasing thanks to God stands us in good stead, for they continually rise as a memorial before God.

Likewise, Psalm 67:5-6 says, ‘…Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.’

Testimony

 When we share our story with others; when we reveal the truth about God’s favour towards us; when we enable others to come to a true realization of who God is; when we equip others with the knowledge of what God is able to do, we indirectly say thank you to God. By telling the world how wonderful He is, we indirectly thank Him.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 95:2 to come into God’s presence with thanks and Psalm 100:4 says we must enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. God inclines His ear to our thanksgiving and deploys a heavenly host to encamp about us and to prepare the path that we walk. We secure our future when we appreciate the provision, which God has made and will be making. It is tantamount to paying upfront for purchases yet undelivered.

As we approach the middle of the year, let us pause to consider the progress, which we have made thus far. Until next month, let’s lift up perpetual praise and songs of thanksgiving.