“Oh give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NKJV)
When we express gratitude, we shift our focus from ourselves to God and others and acknowledge God’s goodness and provision.
The Israelites received so much from God, but, at times, their eyes were not focused on the God who loved and provided for them. They lacked gratitude and forgot God had:
▪︎ delivered them out of the bond of slavery (Exodus 20:2)
▪︎ parted the Red Sea for them to escape from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:21-31)
▪︎ guided them through by a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21)
▪︎ given them manna from heaven each day (Exodus 16)
Despite all the blessings, they complained, reflecting a lack of gratitude. They had many opportunities to thank God, but they chose to amplify what they saw rather than give thanks to God for His goodness.
Lacking gratitude has consequences. The Israelites took forty years to get to the Promised Land when it should have been an eleven-day trip. God had shown them His faithfulness, which posed opportunities to give thanks, but they focused on their ‘supposed’ discomfort. Yes, difficulties were present, but God was always there to lead. Their ungrateful behaviour was costly. They did not enter the Promised Land; a new generation did in their stead.
Introspection: Are there situations that we go through and instead of expressing our gratitude to God, we complain? Learn to count your blessings and show your appreciation for what God has done! Learn to say “thanks.”
In the account where ten lepers were healed (Luke 17:11-19), only one returned to say ‘thank you.’ He was not ashamed to give God loud praise for his healing. Jesus’ response, “…Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” (verse 17), depicts that gratitude is the least we show upon receiving a blessing.
If we are not thankful, it means that we are focused on ourselves. We may be at the peak of our success, but never forget to say thank you to God and to those who helped you along the way; show gratitude; it benefits us!
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your goodness. Help me to keep my eyes on You always. Let me worship You each day with a heart overflowing with gratitude and full of thanksgiving; in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Read: Proverbs 11:25; Colossians 3:12
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 126; Hebrews 12:14-29; Ezekiel 28; Ezekiel 29
