That’s why it’s so important to focus on our blessings. Only through gratitude and reflectin’ can we understand how God uses the hard parts of our lives to push good things forward.”
–John Deacon (Final Justice)
“I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: you have given me wisdom and power…”
–Daniel 2:23 (NIV)
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I should be in a daily practice of thanking God, not just on a special occasion such as Thanksgiving. It is imperative that we learn to be a thankful people. Just a few reminders:
“Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” –Psalm 100:4
Normally we think of this verse upon going to church, but perhaps we should look at it from a different angle. Since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, when we wake each morning to face the new day, couldn’t that be similar to entering His gates? Every morning start the day with thanksgiving.
“Let us come before him with Thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods.” –Psalm 95:2-3
Thank the Lord simply for who He is. If you can sing do that, but if you’re like me you might just want to hum. He is great! We may not be able to sing like Paul and Silas, but we can still offer praise and thanksgiving to Him from our heart. “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ephesians 5:19-20
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good…” –1 Chronicles 16:34
He is good all the time, and all the time He is good. You have heard that little ditty, but it’s true, not just words. Add to this verse, Psalm 106:1, “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever.”
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” –Psalm 107:15
Take just that one aspect of God–love, unfailing love. You can never go so deep into the mire that His love cannot reach and call out to you. It is unfailing and it is enduring.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” –Philippians 4:6
Be a thankful person in your life, throughout the day. Be like the psalmist, “At midnight I rise to give thanks for your righteous laws.” –Psalm 119:62. If you happen to waken during the night always check to see if God is speaking to you, if not, then begin to thank Him for all He has done.
These verses are from the NIV, but I would encourage you to take time to ponder them, to meditate upon them, to contemplate them. Look at them from another translation, for example, the word “unfailing” in Psalm 107:15 is translated “steadfast” in the ESV. Thank God for His unfailing, steadfast love!
This will be the last Echo for the week. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!