SEVEN REASONS TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

who by His understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.

who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.

who made the great lights — His love endures forever.

the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.

the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

to Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt: His love endures forever.

and brought Israel out from among them: His love endures forever.

 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever.

to Him who divided the Red Sea asunder: His love endures forever.

and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever.

but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever.

to Him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.

to Him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever.

and killed mighty kings — His love endures forever.

Sihon king of the Amorites: His love endures forever.

and Og king of Bashan — His love endures forever.

and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever.

an inheritance to His servant Israel. His love endures forever.

He remembered us in our low estate: His love endures forever.

and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.

He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

The 136th Psalm has to be one of my favorites because of its theme of love and praise unto the God who cares for His creation so very much. Sometimes we need to just be reminded of how gracious He is to us and this psalm does just that. Let’s consider seven reasons to give thanks as expressed in the 136th Psalm:

1. We should give thanks because God is good.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “God is good, all the time”. That’s because He is and we should always remember this. The scriptures attest to the fact.

James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”

Romans 8:28 simply states, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God is the source of all goodness and we should give thanks for how good He has been to us.

2. We should give thanks because God and God alone is in charge.

We read about rulers of nations throwing their power around as if they are trying to convince others they are in control of national or world matters. But the truth of things is revealed in this psalm for God is God of gods and Lord of lords. Everyone is under Him and everyone will submit to Him, either by their own choice or by way of His hand. If you don’t believe that, go back to the psalm for these examples:

(God) swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.

(God) struck down great kings, (He) killed mighty kings (like) Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan.

God is omnipotent and rules over all. No one rivals Him in power and might and for this we should be grateful.

3. We should give thanks to God for His wonders.

There are few days that pass where I am not told about something amazing God has done in the lives of others. Whether a person has personally experienced the miracles of God or heard someone who has, the testimonies buoy me up and constantly remind me of how the Lord uses His incredible power to care for His beloved children.

If you fail to see the wonders of God, then you simply aren’t looking.

4. We should give thanks to God for His creative power.

The psalm reminds of us of all God has made. He made the heavens and the great lights, created the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to govern the night, and spread out the earth upon the waters. Every day you step outside, look up and around you at creation, marvel at its majesty, and then remember and give praise to the God who also created you made it all possible.

5. We should give thanks to God for His protection and deliverance.

Go back into the Old Testament and read about how God freed His chosen people Israel from the hands of their oppression in Egypt under the rule of Pharaoh. The God of all authority and power brought Israel out from (Egypt) with a mighty hand and outstretched arm, dividing the Red Sea asunder and bringing Israel through the midst of it. He then went with His people and led them through their wilderness journey to the land He promised to provide them.

6. We should give thanks to God for how He provides for us.

After giving His people victory over the world’s great and mighty kings, God remembered His servant Israel in their lowly estate and gave them the land the defeated kings owned as an inheritance. If we trust in God through our lowly times, He too will deliver us and provide for our needs in accordance with His perfect will.

7. We should give thanks to God for His love for us endures forever.

This is the theme that repeats itself over and over and over again in the psalm, and rightfully so.

For what do you find when you look into the heart of God?

You find love.

1 John 4:8 reminds us that God is love and He freely expresses that love to His people. In fact, God loved us so much that He didn’t wish to ever stop loving us. He wanted to love us forever and so He gave His only Son Jesus as an atoning sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins and then promised eternal life to anyone who would place their belief and trust in Jesus as Savior.

It’s little wonder then why Jesus, when asked about the greatest commandments, delivered two and centered them on what is at the heart of God the Father: love. Jesus said these words:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Friends, God is love and He expresses it unconditionally to His beloved children in many ways, none more evident than through Jesus. As Christians, we need to model this love in the way we care for one another, sharing the good news of Jesus with all we speak to while giving thanks for all God has done.

From this psalm and devotion, we know we have plenty of reasons to be thankful.

Amen.

NOTE 1: If you have a special reason to be thankful today, leave a comment to this blog.

NOTE 2: Here is a song based on the wonderful words of this psalm. The song is called Forever by Chris Tomlin and you can listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUH_NzfRmbs

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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