“…since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)
Gratitude is not simply saying thank you for some benefit you receive. According to the Oxford Dictionary, it means ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.’ In other words, gratitude indicates that there is some amount of reciprocity in its outward expression.
The words ‘thankfulness’ and ‘gratitude’ should not be used interchangeably since thankfulness is simply a subset of gratitude. Where thankfulness is an emotion, gratitude is an attitude of appreciation under any circumstances. Circumstances such as: you did not get that promotion despite you being the one most qualified for the position, you failed that final examination in spite of the fact that you studied hard, the ancestral diseases of diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and/or other blood-related diseases still plagued your life despite your prayers and supplications for healing, the loan was denied to purchase a house for your family, etc. Beloved, despite all the foregoing and other circumstances, approach His throne with an attitude of gratitude. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
The Holy Bible is replete with accounts of men who still expressed a heart of gratitude to God while going through testing and trials. David was around fifteen years old when the prophet Samuel anointed him as the next King of Israel. However, David finally became King at the age of thirty, having to battle many obstacles and attempts to kill him during his ‘waiting’ period. He also lived as a fugitive but still possessed an attitude of gratitude in the midst of his troubles.
In Psalm 34:1 (NKJV), David declared, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” His attitude of gratitude was not conditional, for he purposed in his heart to worship God in the good times and in the bad times. And after fifteen long and arduous years, God moved him from the pasture to the palace.
Friends, it matters not what we are going through; once there is a promise over our lives, God will come through for us at His appointed time. In the meanwhile, let us praise Him during the time that we are in His crucible being processed for His honour and glory and our good.
Read: Psalm 100:2; Romans 8:15
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 128; James 2; Ezekiel 33:21-33; Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35
