Text: Ps 92:1-2, 8-15
Whenever we are thanking God we are showing his faithfulness in our lives. While praising God we are anointed freshly daily and when we are anointed we are defended. By applying the mystery of praising God, we understand better the ways of God, and we bring forth fruit even in our old age. We continue to do things that bring glory to God.
When there is no life how do we live? It is important to understand that when we have a life we have everything. We must understand to be contempt in all things, we should be thankful to God for everything. Remembering life is a gift helps us in better praising God.
Life is not a right but a function of grace. Hence we need to offer unto God the sacrifice of praise. Sacrifices are not easy; it comes at a cost. No cost, no sacrifice. Thanksgiving is a sacrifice in that it might not be convenient to offer. The cost of sacrifice is not so much in the volume but the value. God may see a 1 euro sacrifice to be more valuable than a 100-euro sacrifice. You might not have money in your bank account, but you are to give thanksgiving to God. The altar of thanksgiving is the altar of turnaround. Jesus fed 5000 men excluding women and children with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes after giving thanks to God.
When your resources are not sufficient, go and give God thanks. As Jesus gave thanks, there was a supernatural supply of bread and fish. What are you struggling with today? Thank God for that situation. Also, we have the case of Lazarus, who was dead and buried for 4 days. Jesus gave thanks to God and Lazarus came back to life. We have to consistently give thanks to God whenever we wake up in the morning to see another new day. When you cultivate this habit, you will not display ingratitude.
We must understand that God owes us nothing. The right to life is a gift from God. It is the grace of God that works in our lives that keeps us till now. David was fond of giving thanks to God at all times, no wonder David never lost any battle because God was his permanent defense – Ps 34: 1-2. When the praise of God is always in your mouth, things will work out without you struggling. God said he has found David His servant and with my Holy oil have I anointed him. I will plague all that hate him – Ps 89:20-23. Can God say that of you and me today that he has found His servant? Just get into the habit of consistently praising God and you will not have to worry over any enemy because God will by Himself plague your enemies.
When you praise God, the more of His voice you will hear and the voice of God is more pleasurable than anything else in the world. When thanksgiving graduates into praise, the stage is set for the wonders of God – Ex 15:11. We cannot be thankful to God and keep mute. The proof of a thankful heart is a praiseful mouth. When praise graduates to high praise, it invokes the judgement of God on all oppositions – Ps 149: 6-9.
God executes judgement on our behalf for us to get our inheritance. When the judgement of God is released, the enemy will release our inheritance. As you praise God, He will arise on your behalf and all His enemies will scatter.
What is thanksgiving and what does it offer to us
- Thanksgiving is acknowledging God for all the good things of our lives – John 3:27, James 1:17
- Ascribing all the glory to God for where we are today – 2 Corth 15:12
- It is recounting of Gods goodness and loving-kindness in our lives – Ps 103: 1-4
Always remember that life is a gift and not a right.
God bless you!