Give Thanks
Psalm 105:1-3: "Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!"
For the entirety of Psalm 105, the psalmist calls the people to celebrate the Lord with him, to give thanks to the Lord, to remember all that he has done, and to tell others about his amazing work on behalf of his people. The psalmist remembers God's work throughout the history of Israel. He recalls the miracles God worked on behalf of his people. He remembers, and he gives thanks. Praise, wonder, and thanksgiving flow through the words of this psalm.
God did work mightily for the nation of Israel. He still works mightily for his people today. How do we, the people of God, respond to his work? Are we quick to give thanks to the Lord? Are we quick to call others to celebrate all that he has done for us? Do we tell others all the great works of the Lord?
For many of us living in this technological age, there has been much that we have taken for granted. We take great pride in our accomplishments and innovation. In our comfort and pride, we have become self-focused. Just think of the Brighthouse commercial that was so popular a few years ago: "It's all about you!" Sadly, we have believed that lie. Even our worship can become about us and less about God and his wondrous works.
It is time to change our focus from self to the Lord. It is time to start thanking him for daily provision, for his continual presence and guidance, for the miracle of our salvation. It is time that we rejoice daily in his good gifts to us. It is time for us to tell our stories, big and small, about what God has done in our lives.
May we, like the psalmist, turn our focus Godward then call others to do the same.
For the entirety of Psalm 105, the psalmist calls the people to celebrate the Lord with him, to give thanks to the Lord, to remember all that he has done, and to tell others about his amazing work on behalf of his people. The psalmist remembers God's work throughout the history of Israel. He recalls the miracles God worked on behalf of his people. He remembers, and he gives thanks. Praise, wonder, and thanksgiving flow through the words of this psalm.
God did work mightily for the nation of Israel. He still works mightily for his people today. How do we, the people of God, respond to his work? Are we quick to give thanks to the Lord? Are we quick to call others to celebrate all that he has done for us? Do we tell others all the great works of the Lord?
For many of us living in this technological age, there has been much that we have taken for granted. We take great pride in our accomplishments and innovation. In our comfort and pride, we have become self-focused. Just think of the Brighthouse commercial that was so popular a few years ago: "It's all about you!" Sadly, we have believed that lie. Even our worship can become about us and less about God and his wondrous works.
It is time to change our focus from self to the Lord. It is time to start thanking him for daily provision, for his continual presence and guidance, for the miracle of our salvation. It is time that we rejoice daily in his good gifts to us. It is time for us to tell our stories, big and small, about what God has done in our lives.
May we, like the psalmist, turn our focus Godward then call others to do the same.
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