Psalm 50:14, “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High.”
Have you ever thought about all the things in your life you have to be thankful to God for? Do you often find yourself in prayer asking God for new things when you haven’t thanked Him for all the things He has already done? When was the last time you tried to “count” all your blessings and name them one by one? I would like to take the next few sentences to give you an example of what my thanksgiving to God would look like if I just named a few of the things God has done for me.
“God, I am thankful for my parents and how they brought me up in your ways. I am thankful for your protection over my life in the days I was living without you. Thank you for your mercy and grace that saved me on November 5th, 1995. I am so thankful that you set me free from drugs, perversion, violence, depression and selfish ambition. Thank you for giving me the chance to go to Bible College and be trained for the ministry.
Thank you for placing me into ministry, giving me the great calling to start churches and the ability to lead your people. Thank you for my wife and her parents that raised her in your Word. Thank you for the wonderful years of marriage and the many children you have given us. Thank you for each of my children’s health, personality and giftings. Thank you for the church I now pastor, the people who serve with me and the disciples that are made daily.
Thank you for the cross that bought my salvation, the Holy Spirit that makes me new and abides with me forever, your precious Bible that directs my life and your promises which give me hope everyday. Thank you for all the days that I’ve lived and the blessings you have given me, especially the ones I may not even be able to see. I am thankful and humbled by all you have done in and through me. May my life glorify you in all I do.”
Get the idea? Harry Ironside wrote, “We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” The psalmist commanded us to offer God thanksgiving (todah) as a sacrifice in prayer with our praise and worship because God is worth it and our hearts need to be reminded of how good God has been to us.
Though giving God a proper sacrifice of thanksgiving everyday may take time, remember that it is worth it because it pleases God and expresses our gratitude.
To keep things fresh as opposed to just listing off a bunch of things I’ve said before, I like to make time in the moment each day to say either out loud or to myself, “Thank you Jesus!” Decide with me today that you will be forever thankful to God whenever you pray.
Reflection
Why do you think God considers our prayers of thanksgiving a sacrifice to Him?
Action
- Consider all the good things God has done in your life and give Him thanks for them, one by one.
- Have an attitude of gratitude in life by thanking God for His goodness whenever you’re made aware of them.
- Share His goodness with others by testifying about how good God has been to you.
