“ “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.””
Giving thanks has always been a method of gratitude for us in the world and as recorded in God’s word, God also expects us to do same to him. Giving thanks brings a deeper joy in God’s heart. It can be difficult to give thanks when we are in pain but the word of God states that we should give thanks in every situation irrespective of good or bad (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In Christ we have received the grace for all kinds of circumstances. True believes are able to stand strong, encouraged, and able to thank God even when it’s very painful.
We are currently in the middle of the year 2023. God has been good to us so we should give him thanks during this season. So as we begin, let us “ not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.
1. Thanking God is a form of sacrifice and benefits us when we appreciate God: Psalm 50:14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”
2. Thank God for salvation and strength to live every day in him: Colossians 2:6-7 “6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
3. Thank God because we have access to him in the place of prayer: 1 Chronicles 16:8 “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”
4. Thank God for his goodness and love: Psalm 107:1 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"
5. Thank God for the peace he has bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus: Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
6. Thank God for this message of Christ that is food for the soul and keeps is spiritually healthy: Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts”
7. Thank God for the works of our hands: Colossians 3: 17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
8. Hebrews 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
9. Thank God for the list of things he has done in your life (List them and be grateful): Psalm 9:1 “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
10. Thank God our righteousness. We are only made righteous because he is righteous and our righteousness is found only in him: Psalm 7:17 "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."