From the moment the Apostle Paul understood the mystery of God’s redeeming love, he accounted his former gain as loss; his former supposed wisdom no better than folly, and he determined to know nothing, to depend on nothing, to glory in nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
In 1 Chronicles 16:8-13, we have David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving.
“Give thanks to the LORD; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples, sing to Him; sing praises to Him; tell about all His wondrous works! Boast in His holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wondrous works he has done, His wonders, and the judgments He pronounced, you offspring of Israel His servant, Jacob’s descendants – His chosen ones.”
In Colossians 3:16-17 the Apostle Paul wrote “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Further, in 2 Corinthians 4:13-15, we have Paul saying “And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak. For we know that the One who raised the LORD JESUS will also raise us with Jesus, and present us with you. Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.
Faith expresses itself in words that affirm confidence in what God has promised. God’s ultimate goal in answering prayer and bringing us the blessings of salvation is for thanksgiving and glory to be offered to Him.
Listen to what the Psalmist wrote in 145:3-4 “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”
I want to close this meditation with a statement found in Psalm 136. Throughout the Psalm, there is a statement that is repeated over and over. This is the statement — “His faithful love endures forever.” The Hebrew word for “faithful love” is Hesed. This term is not merely an emotion or feeling. It describes an action on behalf of someone in need. It is a loyal love that inspires compassionate behavior toward another person. It is a word that God uses to describe Himself. He abounds with love. His love toward us is unfailing. His love is steadfast and loyal. His love is faithful toward us even when His people are not faithful.
So dear ones, let us be sure to give thanks to God not only at Thanksgiving but all the time for His “faithful, loyal, steadfast, unfailing love toward us at all times.”
I am thankful for you and your desire to honor and praise Him.
Pastor Leonard
