November 25, 2008

... make thanksgiving a lifestyle!

Days from now you will celebrate the annual Thanksgiving holiday with family, friends and food. You will see people you haven't seen and pray with others that maybe don't pray that often. To those not in love with God, Thanksgiving is one of the holidays, like Christmas and Easter, where they acknowledge His existence ... or at least ponder it. For followers of Jesus, thanksgiving isn't just a holiday - it is a lifestyle.

 

The reading below is Psalm 136 and it captures the heart of thanksgiving we all should desire. The Psalms were the songbook of Israel. The purpose of each Psalm is to impress a truth upon the hearts of the people. The truth that leaps forth from Psalm 136 is that God is merciful, great and good and, for that, we should be thankful daily!

 

1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
         For His mercy endures forever.
 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
         For His mercy endures forever: 
 4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 7 To Him who made great lights,
         For His mercy endures forever-
 8 The sun to rule by day,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
         For His mercy endures forever.     
 10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 11 And brought out Israel from among them,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 17 To Him who struck down great kings,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 18 And slew famous kings,
         For His mercy endures forever-
 19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 20 And Og king of Bashan,
         For His mercy endures forever-
 21 And gave their land as a heritage,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 22 A heritage to Israel His servant,
         For His mercy endures forever.    
 23 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 24 And rescued us from our enemies,
         For His mercy endures forever;
 25 Who gives food to all flesh,
         For His mercy endures forever. 
 26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
         For His mercy endures forever. 

 

Psalm 136 takes less than 180 seconds to read. Please read it again and allow the truth of God's greatness to settle into your Spirit ... His mercy endures forever!

 

I love this Psalm. It reminds me that thanksgiving is a lifestyle and not a holiday. It reminds me that God has been merciful from the beginning and will remain so through eternity.

 

Psalm 136 is a playbook for a thankful lifestyle. As I read the Psalm, my mind recalls the beauty of nature and God's amazing creation. Next, I shift to the incredible manner in which God saved my soul. Moving from salvation, I realize the many times God delivered and protected me. I acknowledge His provision, leading and comfort. Lastly, I ponder living with Him forever and find my soul at peace and full of thanksgiving. God is great and greatly deserving of my thanks!

 

Friend, take time this week to develop a heart of thanksgiving. Meditate on the goodness of God. Think about the times He has moved in your life. Lastly, thank Him for what He is doing today and what He has done for eternity. Take time to hang out with God and lavish Him with thanks ... He deserves it!

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you!

 

For King and Kingdom,