Give Thanks!

Give Thanks!

O give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people.

Psalms 105:1 AMP

The Context and Focus:

The writer of today's psalm is not known, but there is no doubt as to the strength and depth of the message in the verse above. In a world that is constantly looking for what it can gain and not what it can give first, this message is an important one. In a world that is becoming increasingly paranoid, looking more inward than upwards, there is a need to consider the message in the verse above, review what the lessons and demands are, and then take critical action to align with God's demands. The first thing to consider is that what God asks from me is to give thanks to Him. There is no price I can pay for the manifold blessings He has sent my way. There is nothing I can give him that can adequately cover all that God has done for me. In fact, the greatest gift, which is the life of His son Jesus, was given long before I was born. This is the biggest reason why I am who I am, what I am and where I am. 

The Message:

The reason why this is even more amazing is because He did it even without any assurance or guarantee that I would love him in return. Jesus did what he did, not minding my reaction, content to give his life, even if only one person in the world would accept his free gift of life. This is what makes his gift quite amazing. The one thing that God then requires from me is to give Him thanks, in sincere appreciation of all that God has done. Thanksgiving is the outflow of appreciation of all that God has done. It cannot be silent or implied; it has to be expressed. I cannot be grateful and God will not know about it. I cannot be grateful to God and my life will not reflect the benefits and blessings of gratitude. The verse above also advises me to call upon the name of the Lord. You cannot call upon the Lord and also have time to call upon any other person. I cannot call upon the name of the Lord, and have an allegiance to any other authority. 

The Conclusion:

The verse above also enjoins me to make known God's deeds among the people. When my heart is right, it will produce the right thing. When the heart is grateful, it will lead to a life that makes impact. When my heart is right, my mouth cannot keep quiet. My lips will be quick to tell other people about the wonderful things God has done in my life. How else would other people be drawn to the glory of God, if my life is not the obvious reflection of that glory? As God deals with me in mercy and grace, I learn to give thanks, and as I give God thanks, it helps me watch my life, so that God can be pleased to do even more for me. This is the power of testimonies and publix acclamations: people get to hear about God's mighty works, and they can also in turn get their own miracles, and they can also start the chain of thanksgiving. What a world it will be if everyone knows God. It starts with me. God's time of favour is here.