Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Two Reasons for Living Thankful

PSALM 107:1-3 – Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.”

 

THEME OF THE DAY:  TWO REASONS FOR LIVING THANKFUL.  Before we move on, a disclaimer is needed.  There are far more than two reasons for a Christian to live thankful. Oh, there are two reasons that come out of today’s scripture, but many more exist. Here are two additional ones.

 

First living thankful to the Lord is an act of obedience.  The simple two words “give thanks” appear throughout the scripture in the form of a command.  Study them in the Psalms and see their frequency. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, extends the command to include all circumstances to include its place in the will of God for His people – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And let us not forget.  Jesus gave us the clear “one way road” to travel if we truly claim to love Him – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

 

A second reason for living thankful to the Lord is the validating place it holds in being filled with the Spirit.  Again, the Apostle Paul directs us.  In writing to the Ephesian believers, he gives the evidence that a person is filled with the Spirit. One piece is the spirit of thanksgiving – And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:18-21). Don’t look for some sign, miracle, experience, or feeling to affirm the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Look for two things; are we growing in the truth of God’s Word and are we conforming more and more in the image of Christ.  Those are the primary works of the Spirit in the believer’s life.

 

Now, the two reasons for living with a thankful heart before the Lord from today’s scripture.  And it is because of these two things about Him, not what He does for us, but Who He is toward us, that we are empowered to live a thankful life.  The Psalmist starts out encouraging us to give thanks because the Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever.  Ponder both in our lives.  Remember how good God has been and is in our lives. Remember, His unchanging love when we waver and our love changes like the wind!  Indeed, these are tremendous reasons to live a life bathed in the spirit of thanksgiving. May it be so!

 

PRAYER: “Father, help me to live in the spirit of thanksgiving by remembering Your goodness and love.”

 

QUOTE: “Living in the spirit of thanksgiving is a command, a privilege, and a necessity for joy.”

 

Because of Him,

 

Pastor Jim