Psalm 103:1-5, Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
Thanksgiving is a verbal expression of a grateful heart. To give thanks to the Lord means to acknowledge His Person, His divine nature, His work and His blessings upon us. Giving thanks to the Lord at all times is a key to godliness. In the Old Testament, the phrase “give thanks” has been used 32 times to refer to God. While the word “praise” has been used 53 times. Thus, there have been so many reasons to thank God for. What are you thanking God today?
1. Grateful people crave for God all the time.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.” v.1
Grateful people are thirsty for God. They desire to have more of God in their life.
God is glorified when our mind, our emotions and our actions acknowledge God.
Grateful people crave to give the highest value to God in their life.
God is really important to us, when we intentionally meditate upon His word and spend time in prayer.
2. Grateful people remember the good things God has done.
“2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits.” v.2
Grateful people are retentive people. They do not easily forget the things of God.
All of God and none of myself.
Learn to count every single benefit from the Lord.
We are the recipients of whatever gifts He wants to give.
God is the recipient of our praises and thanksgiving.
3. Grateful people rejoice in all circumstances.
Psalm 103:3, 5 “3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”
Grateful people are joyful people.
The joy of grateful people is contagious.
Grateful people are the ones you want to be hanging out with.
They have a godly outlook in life. They see all of life as God’s gift to them.
They see problems as opportunities to grow.
They see life’s challenges as ministry opportunities.
Their sense of fulfillment is in the works of God.
Their strength is from the Holy Spirit.
Our three challenges for this week:
Yearn to connect with God daily. Ask God to have more of Him and less of yourself.
Focus on the good things and count your blessings.
Be grateful to God in all circumstances.