PSALMS 50:14 “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:”
KEYWORD: When gratitude becomes a lifestyle, thanksgiving ceases to be an event and becomes a continual expression of worship unto God.
As we learn the concept of thanksgiving and its importance, it is expedient to know that there is a great difference between thanksgiving and giving of thanks. When we acknowledge God’s goodness in anticipation of what we are trusting Him for, it is called giving of thanks. It often has a definite reason for thanking Him. Jesus gave thanks because He knew the Father had already made provision for the miracle of feeding the five thousand (John 6:11). In giving thanks it is important to be specific about what you are thanking God for.
Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is the feast of harvest time. It is beyond an act. It is a service dedicated to acknowledging God’s goodness and everything that salvation represents. We come with hearts full of gratitude, offering sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving unto Him. Most importantly, God is more concerned with your heart than with what you bring as an offering. In 2 Chronicles 6:8, God acknowledged David’s desire and intention even before the temple was built. In other words, the quality of your heart determines the quality of your thanksgiving.
There are attitudes one must possess during thanksgiving. For thanksgiving to be offered in its true essence, it must come from a grateful heart. It should be expressed with joy, praise, singing, and celebration before the Lord.
Thanksgiving should never be approached with a complaining spirit or a heart weighed down by ingratitude. While our offerings can be a beautiful expression of gratitude to God, they must flow from a willing and cheerful heart. Every act of thanksgiving should be accompanied by sincere appreciation for God’s faithfulness in your life.
Finally, thanksgiving is complete when it comes from a ready, willing, and open heart, not out of compulsion or mere tradition. When gratitude becomes a lifestyle, thanksgiving ceases to be an event and becomes a continual expression of worship unto God. Such thanksgiving always rises before Him as a sweet-smelling savour. Glory to God!
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of life, for Your love that never fails, and for Your mercies that are new every morning. For all You have done, all You are doing, and all that You will yet do, we say thank You. We thank You for Your peace upon the nations of the world and for Your faithfulness toward us in Jesus’ name, Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
PSALMS 100:4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
