THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING

FOCUS VERSE:  Psalm 107: 1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

DECLARATION:  Gratitude fills my heart today; thanksgiving multipli+se relationship with God, understand His ways in depth and then only can we realise how ‘good to taste’ God is.  

Psalm 100: 5 - For the Lord is good and His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations.

This is a proclamation, a decree of the goodness of God.  In our lives when we encounter many people and after a period of friendship we are able to say that person is ‘good’.  This is related to his good character, this does not mean that he is without sin.  But in the case of God, there is absolutely no sin in Him.  Presuming God to be cruel or without compassion is a totally wrong notion.  

In the book of Job, we see calamity upon calamity right from the first chapter.  But towards the end, Job says that he had only a rough notion of who God was……now he has conversed with God and understands His goodness and mercy.  We enjoy the goodness of God every moment of our life - but many fail to take this into account and hence forgo thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a choice in every season:  Thanksgiving should not be based on circumstances but done with intention to a good God.  

Psalm 34: 1 - I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

This was David’s conviction and decision - to praise God in all seasons.  To keep His praises everflowing from his lips.

1 Thessalonians 5: 18 - Give thanks in all circumstances.  
Habakkuk 3: 17 - Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls ………………..yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
Ephesians 5: 20 - Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

A sportsperson goes for training every day of the week to maintain his body and be fit for the games, for training in better techniques of play and to be in perfect discipline.  He does not bother with rain or sun but is determined not to miss his coaching schedule.  Similarly, thanksgiving is to be practised consistently not occasionally.

Thanksgiving shifts focus from lack to abundance:  If we are able to develop a habit of constant thanksgiving regardless of the circumstances, our focus slowly shifts from our situation of lack to abundance.  This is because a person who consistently maintains a spirit of thanksgiving does not focus on his failures or shortcomings or lack, but looks to the face of God - his focus is on God.  A heart of gratitude brings about a change in perspective.  Instead of focussing on what is missing, we ought to highlight our ‘haves’.  

Psalm 103: 2 - Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

In the above psalm, the person is reminding his own self to always praise the Lord and to forget the benefits God has done.  

Philippians 4: 6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Thanksgiving sustains joy and strength:  

Psalm 28: 7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.
Isaiah 12: 4 - Give praise to the Lord.  

If you are determined to develop a habit of praising God in every situation, our sorrows will automatically turn into joy.  May the joy of the Lord fill you all and keep you.

God bless you all!