Bible Text: Psalm 34
Thanking God is a spiritual discipline that needs to be taken seriously by Christians. Believers in Christ should know that giving thanks is a commandment from God so that our relationship with Him can be smooth and rewarding.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
[18]Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus.
We need to thank God because He is the creator of all things, the heaven and the earth. Revelation 4: 11, says Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Our existence is by the will of God and the salvation of our souls.
Psalm 13:5 “But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation.”
Take a reflection back, check God’s goodness and the happenings around you, you will know that, it is by the mercy of God that you are still standing.
Psalm 106:1 says Praise the Lord: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endureth forever” Therefore, the only response we can give to God for His goodness and blessings is to continually give thanks.
Why Do I Give Thanks: You need to give thanks to God for numerous reasons.
Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Thankfulness to God glorifies His name.
Psalm 50:23 says He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving, honors
and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.
· He is the giver of all things. – James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. Your talent, achievements, wealth and riches etc. He is the source of our gifts, so anytime we give thanks it reminds us that God is the creator of every gift.
· Multiplication of increase. – John 6:5-13. The five loaves of bread and two small fishes multiplied to feed the five-thousand multitude after Jesus had given thanks to God. There were twelve baskets filled with extra after everybody had eaten. When you honour God with Thanksgiving expect multiplication of increase.
· It brings perfection into healing. In – Luke 17:11-19, out of the ten lepers that were healed by Jesus Christ, only one came back to give thanks, a Samaritan, he returned to give glory to God. Jesus pronounced wholeness upon him and he received
total healing. For God to perfect everything that concerneth, we need to show gratitude.
· You build the Faith of others: – Romans 10:17 says faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
· It qualifies you for more favour: When you show a heart of gratitude to God, you’re guaranteed more blessings and favour from Him. – Proverbs 3:9-10 “ Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
· It will bring total deliverance from all your troubles. – Psalm 50:14-15 says offer unto God Thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High: And I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify me.
· For surviving all circumstances – 1Thessalonians 5:18. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Life is full of up and down, there are times we face difficulties, challenges, bitter experiences. We do not need to grieve over it, God desires from us in that situation is a sacrifice of praise according to Hebrew 13:15-16 “by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
· Salvation of our souls – 1Peter 2: 9. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” We should at all times give thanks to God for redeeming us with the blood of Jesus and bring us into light.
How do I Give Thanks to God. Psalms 7:17
You can give thanks to God in various ways that will glorify him. There is no particular way or time you cannot thank God as long as it glorify God.
· Sing songs of praises to God Psalm 95:1-3
· Use the blessings of God to help others
· Share your belief by referencing God when you’re asked of your blessings
· Honour God with your blessings and devote your time for His work.( offering, vow, tithe etc)
· Always say thank you to God as a word of prayer anytime you receive a blessing of any magnitude.
· Thank God every morning before you leave your bed.
