Give Thanks

“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! 
For His mercy endures forever.” Psalms 136:26

The expression “give thanks” translates into the act of thanksgiving. A posture of thanksgiving is to be endeavored by every Christian disciple. The verse, Psalms 136:26, identifies the ultimate recipient as well as the reason why for our thankfulness. It is God and only God who is the optimum beneficiary of our thanksgiving. While we’re oblivious regarding life’s outcomes,  God is intervening on our behalf to orchestrate the flow of good experiences and things to place in our lives. Even though people may perform actions for us noteworthy of a “Thank you”, thanksgiving is still owed to God. So while we are thanking people, we must remain mindful to thank God for the people He has employed to be vessels of His goodness toward us.  As we cling to the truth in James 1:17, we are always aware of the Source to whom we are indebted.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”James 1:17 

Thanksgiving is easily extended when everything is going well and we are filled with feelings that makes us giddy and happy. However, the admonishment to give thanks is not just subject to a specific occasion nor only when the circumstances are favorable. The act of thanksgiving is the order of the day even in the moments we have classified as our darkest days. During trying times, the capacity to give thanks is not always possible if attempted within our own strength. Although, by tapping into the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving in the midst of troubling times. It’s through the empowerment of God’s Spirit we become rooted and continue to be steadfast in posture of giving thanks to God for His Compassion.

Our motivation to give thanks is as a result of “For His mercy endures forever.” God’s loving devotion, His goodness, His kindness and His faithfulness has no end. Never ending suggests that God’s mercy is not predicated on our feelings, behaviors or shortcomings. God’s mercy continues to flow to give us another change and to redeem the time in order for us to become all He has intended. Since God’s mercy never ends, we are obligated as well as inspired to Him thanks. It is the will of God that we thank Him for the good times and thank Him even in the midst of the not-so-good times. 

"Give thanks in all circumstances;
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"                    I Thessalonians 5:18

“Thankfulness to God is
the ordained posture of every disciple of Jesus Christ”_ASA