“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:8-11 (KJV)
When we look around us and listen to the newscasts, it becomes a challenge to remain positive and thankful, yet we can do it. The spiritual fortitude that we need in order to be positive and thankful never comes from our immediate environment. It is issued to us in our devotional, prayer closets. This issue is so important to us because an attitude of gratitude enables us to give thanks in everything.
The Scottish pastor Alexander Whyte was known for his positive, encouraging prayers on Sunday mornings. Whyte always gave thanks for something. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that most church member thought what one expressed, “Certainly, Pastor Whyte won’t have anything to give thanks for on a wretched day like this.” But true to form, when he mounted the pulpit and began, Whyte prayed, “We thank Thee, O God that it is not always like this.”
Thankfulness is a choice to be made on a daily basis. We choose to be thankful by calling on his name. Jesus taught us how to pray: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name .” It is most unlikely that you will pray to him if you are not grateful. Note from today’s passage that David encourages us to glory in the Lord’s holy name, to seek him and the strength he gives. If a positive and thankful attitude is a challenge for us, perhaps we need to ask God to give us the strength to be thankful.
We choose to be thankful by publishing the Lord’s works in our lives. We talk about him, sing about him and to him. We rejoice in the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Consider for a moment how many of us think about our favorite team all year long (almost daily). We cheer for them. We talk positively about their games. We take every opportunity to praise their efforts. One member of a university alumnae association was asked: “Shouldn’t you give as much to the Lord as you do to your team?” After gulping deeply and blinking several times, he stuttered, “Yyyes I guess I should.” Since every good gift comes from God, don’t you think he deserves more praise and gratitude than a team of athletes?
Surely, thanksgiving is an all-the-year kind of attitude. God is good all the time and deserves our gratitude and praise all the time! By the grace of God, we can give thanks at all times and in all circumstances.
Dear Father, thank you for your blessings on us. Empower us with the grace to be grateful at all times and in all circumstances. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today and every day in the Lord’s blessings,