Main Text
Psalms 103:1-22
Watchword
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
Thanksgiving is a need, because it recognizes man’s total powerlessness before God and generates humility, which paves the way for a person to know God.
Showing gratitude is an essential part of solving problems, even massive problems that appear to have no solution. Most people do not know this, but gratitude is part of the solution to virtually all of our crises, whether small and individual, or colossal and collective. How does expressing gratitude solve problems?
Showing sincere, detailed gratitude to God changes something much more importantly the mind and attitude. (Psalms 28:7)
Showing gratitude to God puts a person or people on the path to having their problems fixed, no matter their magnitude or intensity. Proper gratitude produces humility, and humility is a vital prerequisite to knowing God and receiving blessings from Him. (Psalms 34:18). God cannot work with a person who is infatuated with himself or herself. He cannot connect with a person who refuses to admit his own deficiencies because He cannot help the man who does not want help. Gratitude plays a vital role in producing the recognition that we are but tiny, temporary, insignificant, weak creatures who depend entirely on our Creator.
There is beautiful selflessness inherent in saying “thank you,” even in saying it to other people. When we say thanks, we recognize the accomplishments and character of others, and we recognize our own needs and deficiencies, frailties and shortcomings. We admit that we need help, so it is very hard for godly gratitude and vanity to coexist in the same moment. When we express gratitude to God (and even others), we recognize that we are not the only star in the universe. (Micah 6:8). We recognize that there are other stars and that they too are important and have value, not just to the universe, but to our own existence.
Confession
Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in all the ways you demonstrated that you love me on a daily basis.
Prayer
Oh Lord, help me to see and appreciate your goodness in my life in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Additional Reading
Hebrews 12:28
Psalms 50:23.