The Power of being THANKFUL!

In just a few days we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  It’s sad that we have only one day set aside each year to give thanks to God as a nation.  We should have some time set aside regularly, to give praise to Him who has blessed us so richly!  As God's people it is fitting that we should focus our thoughts and prayers daily upon the goodness of God and offer our gratitude to Him for WHO HE IS and for ALL HE HAS DONE FOR US.

When I think about being grateful and giving thanks to the Lord, there is a verse in Romans that serves as a reminder of the power of being THANKFUL, as well as a warning against what can happen when we allow our soul and flesh to lose focus and become self-absorbed.

John 1:1–3  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him (JESUS – the Word); and without him was not anything made that was made. (KJV)

Romans 1:18–23  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth (Remember: the truth is a PERSON—they suppress knowing HIM!) in unrighteousness, 19 because (here’s the issue:) what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it (Himself) to them (through the CREATION).  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,being understood by the things that are made (by Him), even His eternal power (dynamis – Holy Spirit) and Godhead (divinity – relationship with the Father), so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not GLORIFY HIM as God, nor (neither) were THANKFUL, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (NKJV)

The reason for God’s anger against UNGODLINESS and UNRIGHEOUSNESS of men is that the ENTIRE CREATION, of which mankind is chief has been made for ONE ULTIMATE PURPOSE—to MAKE OUR CREATOR KNOWN by giving Him GLORY and THANKSGIVING!

I believe worship and thankfulness is so important that God infused it as a basic need within every person’s soul.  But He also gave man free will.  Therefore, according to Romans, every person born receives a knowledge of the Creator through experiencing the creation.  But what we do with that knowledge is the key.  If we glorify God and offer thanksgiving to Him, our knowledge and relationship with Him grows, but if we refuse to worship Him and become bitter and ungrateful, our knowledge and relationship with Him declines, yet our need to worship and be grateful does not. 

So, we find substitutes for our worship, such as the works of our own hands, rather than His.  It’s amazing, after God led Israel out of Egypt, instead of worshiping Him and being thankful, they made an idol out of gold with their own hands and freely worshiped it instead.  Today, we see so much human worship of sports figures, musical groups, movie stars, internet influencers, politicians, and don’t forget some religious leaders.

As far as thanksgiving, how many times have we heard people say, “I thank my lucky stars?”  Or how many people carry good luck charms, such as rocks, four-leaf clovers, or trust their safety to wearing “St. Christopher medals,” etc. 

Clearly, we are made to worship and to be thankful.  So, why not worship and be thankful to the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD?

PSALM 103: Bless the Lord, O My Soul

A Psalm of David

Someone called this David's "Hallelujah Chorus."  Notice that he addresses his soul directly.  He is reminding himself—his MIND, WILL, and EMOTIONS, as he praises the Lord, of all that God has done,

This is a prayer of nothing but praise to God.  There is no supplication, no request, no petition, or plea in this prayer.  Rather than complaining about his problems, David was awestruck with God's blessings.  He realized how good God had been and how undeserving he was of all these blessings.  From the depths of his heart came this prayer of praise, expressing his gratitude toward the Lord.

I can see David, full of emotion, passionate in all that he did, praising God with all his heart.  He believed in putting his all into it.  This ancient Hebrew King was also an accomplished musician, a man who sang with feeling and with conviction.  These words were not dry and stale when David sang them.  They were full of life and energy.  They were part of his worship.  You'll recall that David was accustomed to dancing when he worshiped God.  David sang it with joy and with a deep desire to let God and all else who could hear know just how much he really wanted God to receive praise and glory.

Psalm 103:1–22

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.  7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.  8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.  9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.  10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.  13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.  14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.  16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.  17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.  21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.  22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! (NKJV)