It's more astonishing to witness people overcome with an attitude of thanksgiving in dire circumstances. Think of the parents of a terminally ill child who praise God for each day of their daughter's life. You might be baffled be a family's ability to be thankful in the midst of disaster, weeping with joy that even though their house and possessions have been destroyed by flood, fire or earthquake, their family has survived.
Even deeper than gratitude for a favor or thankfulness in the midst of misery, thanksgiving can be viewed as a testament to an enduring quality in someone we admire and respect. For instance, David celebrated God's divine attributes with a heart of pure thanksgiving. With great fanfare, the ark of the covenant had finally arrived in Jerusalem and taken its place into the tent David had prepared for it. After the offerings were made and the feast was over, David's gladness spilled over into a great song of jubilant thanksgiving.
Consider the countless reasons you have to be grateful. Had something brought great joy to your life? Consider the attributes of those you love: your husband's/wife's faithfulness, your friends' trustworthiness, your parents' goodness, your child's tender heart.
Today is the perfect time to "give thanks to the Lord, for he is good." Start by expressing thanks for some of the things David included in his prayer:
-"God's wonderful acts..."
1 Chronicles 16:9
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
-"His miracles..."
1 Chronicles 16:12
Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
-"His salvation..."
1 Chronicles 16:23
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that he
-"His glory..." & "His marvelous deeds among all peoples..."
1 Chronicles 16:24
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
-"His holiness..."
1 Chronicles 16:29
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his presence.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Everything about God is worthy of our praise. Let us now allow anyone or anything to rob us of the gift of a thankful heart!
We can sing with David, "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns!'" -1 Chronicles 16:31
-Women's Devotional Bible
"I may already have everything I want Lord but may I ask for one more thing, a grateful heart." -Joy
::Psalm 100:1-5::
1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
::Psalm 136:1-26::
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
10Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
11 He brought Israel out of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
12 He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
His faithful love endures forever.
13 Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
14 He led Israel safely through,
His faithful love endures forever.
15 but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
16 Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
His faithful love endures forever.
17 Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
His faithful love endures forever.
18 He killed powerful kings—
His faithful love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
His faithful love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan.
His faithful love endures forever.
21 God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
His faithful love endures forever.
22 a special possession to his servant Israel.
His faithful love endures forever.
23 He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.
::Colossians 3:16-17::
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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