CALLED TO BE THANKFUL (1)

“Oh, that men would GIVE THANKS to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” – Psalm 107:8

God’s redeemed people are CALLED to be THANKFUL: “Oh, that men would GIVE THANKS to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”  (Psa.107:8). This psalm focuses on gratitude for Judah’s return from exile (vv.2-3). Here, the community of the redeemed called one another to give thanks to God for His enduring goodness, steadfast love, and wonderful works, which He had shown not just to humanity in general – “the children of men,” but particularly, to Judah’s redeemed. The psalm distinctively describes people in distress, whom God had rescued: wanderers in life’s desolate wilderness (v.4); and “those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons” (v.10). God is worthy of thanks, because each time they cried to Him, He heard and delivered!

We need to take on an Attitude of Gratitude. We have more to praise God for than we do to complain about. Some say, "If you knew all my problems, you wouldn't be talking like that!" Yet, people with far worse problems than us have found a way to praise God. We can rejoice! The way out of negative situations is not by rehearsing the bad things that have happened or the negative things that are against us. The way out of defeat, pressure, sickness, and disease and problems in marriage or in other relationships is to get our eyes back on Jesus (Heb.12:2). We are called to be a thankful people – to have a heart-disposition of Thanksgiving at all times; to be thankful as a lifestyle.

Thankfulness will change frowns into smiles; depressed days into joyful ones; and a pessimistic attitude into one of optimism. Thanksgiving will turn lack into manifested blessings and confusion into peace. It will break through the works of darkness, causing God's Light to abound. With an attitude of gratitude, things which we have lacked seem to find their way to us! God provides many things for us which we often take for granted, such as our daily protection, deliverance and provision. We need to begin to thank Him daily for His intimate care in all areas.

Let’s begin to give thanks to God for daily provisions: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases...” (Psa.103: 1-5). We serve a good God, whose Will it is to give us good things. He is the God who lifts and gives: “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psa.84:11b). The Lord longs for people who will respond to Him with gratitude. A thankful heart sets the stage for God’s manifested Presence and Power, which is more than enough to meet every need. Hallelujah!