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As we enter this week that is officially set aside for Thanksgiving, this Scripture is a reminder that being thankful is not just a good thing to do, it is something we do that glorifies GOD!
Thanksgiving glorifies GOD, but is also a sacrifice of worship to Him
It is also a sacrifice we offer to GOD. It can be costly at times as well. Anyone can complain. Anyone can allow themselves to fall into a pit of misery over their circumstances. That is an easy default. I know from personal experience. It costs to be thankful. I must step out of my desire to feel sorry for myself and ask GOD to give me His perspective on what is happening.
Who wants to stop to think about what GOD is doing, what changes need to be happening in their own lives, what to be thankful for …even if it is “only” who He is! What a challenge…to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice
glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 50:14-15, 23
Think about your life today.
I totally love what you said about complaining. It’s truly something that I strive to not do in my life. Despite living in daily chronic pain…I have found much to be thankful for.
thanks rona. glad you came by to visit:)
Dear Martha
I sometimes am concerned when we think of praise and thanksgiving as something we need to do to honor God for in Acts 10 Paul tells us that God is not served with human hands. In Isaiah 29:12 and Matthew 15:8, Isaiah and Jesus told us that God detests the praises from the people’s lips and honor from their mouths when their hearts are far away from Him. True praise and thanksgiving come from a heart being one spirit in union with the Spirit of God; as natural as breathing!
Blessings XX
Mia
so true! i think we can certainly look at a lack of thanksgiving/gratefulness as being diagnostic (can you tell i’m a nurse?) of a heart not in tune with GOD. the truth is however, that this side of heaven, our worship will never be totally one with Him. we wish it were true, but our brokenness that came from the Fall has the effect on us that is something like the person who has a broken body going into life. they can make adjustments, but nothing comes naturally. that’s why it is so painful for the parent of a child with a broken body or mind to watch their child as he struggles through life. yes, they love him, but it is painful to watch the struggle.
in the same way, we don’t naturally do the right thing spiritually. that goes for worship too. (cf. romans 3:10-12) when we come to Christ to repent of sin and believe, He has forgiven all our sin for sure, but we still struggle in our broken bodies and minds to obey and worship with a whole heart.
those times of worship when it is “right” are like heaven on earth…literally:) blessings today (or is it tomorrow for you?) as you worship GOD. martha
I wrote about gratitude and thankfulness today as well. It’s all about perspective. When we align our hearts with his, tune into his language of love, we can’t help but be thankful. You are so right Martha, sometimes thankfulness costs. But if we want to experience true joy and contentment there is no other option. Happy Sunday friend.
yes lisha. i guess anything valuable costs! but the joy and contentment that follows a life of thanksgiving is a great life…worth the cost:)
I love that …
His perspective on what is happening.
thanks for stopping by sonya:)
Amen. Only God’s Word can give me His peace, His Truth, and His love. Thank you for stopping by and leading me over here! May your Thanksgiving be filled with the grace of our LORD and fill us to full with praises for the One Who created us.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda