THE POWER OF THANKFULNESS Kay Keith Peebles 11/28/2019 19:42
THE POWER OF THANKFULNESS Kay Keith Peebles 11/28/2019 19.42
It is good to set aside a day annually to be thankful for what God has done for us. It is better to live continually in gratitude and thankfulness each and every day. The depth of our thankfulness and obedience to His word will directly relate to the level of blessing and favor we have from the Lord. It is true that scripture says that the sun will shine on the just and unjust and so the rain; but the blessing and favor of the Lord are linked to our commitment to honoring Him.
I have never enjoyed being around someone who constantly grumbles and complains about their problems. That was partly self-righteousness on my part which the Lord exposed. He reminded me of the many times I have complained about my body or aging, having to wait in traffic or a line at the grocery. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. It’s easy to see it in someone else but we can be blinded by our own hypocrisy. When I repented, the Lord began to show me the richness of His presence that came with a consistently thankful heart. Neuroscience has revealed how gratitude rewires our brain to be happier.
Some believers feel disconnected from the Lord and that is often a symptom of our wavering devotion to Him. The word declares: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting. His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5.
Our entrance into His presence begins with thanksgiving and it is praise that carries us deeper and closer to the Lord. Our worship can bring us face to face with God when our focus is solely upon Him and not our circumstances. When we are grateful for the things the Lord has already done, it builds our faith for those prayers that have not yet been answered. When we praise Him for His mighty works it reminds us of His miracle working power which He uses on our behalf.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness having been freed from slavery in Egypt, the Lord tested their devotion to Him. It wasn’t long before their gratitude of being miraculously released from Pharaoh’s cruelty turned into grumbling and complaining. Although there was not one feeble among them, they took the wealth of Egypt with them and their clothes never wore out, they seemed to find something to complain about.
When they had need, the Lord provided for them manna (bread from heaven) and water, even meat. He led them by day protecting them from the heat with a supernatural cloud and by night kept them warm with a pillar of fire. He was demonstrating His presence with them wherever they went. He showed them He would part the sea for them yet they continued to grumble and complain. No matter what He did for them, their unbelief was glaringly exposed by their grumbling. Unfortunately, the Lord kept the entire group wandering in the wilderness 40 years until that generation of grumblers and complainers died, never entering into the land the Lord had promised to them.
Something miraculous happened when a Samaritan man encountered Jesus and was healed. “As He (Jesus) went on his way to Jerusalem, it occurred that [Jesus] was passing [along the border] between Samaria and Galilee. And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance. And they raised up their voices and called. ‘Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us!’ And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean. Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice; and he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Where not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was there no one found to return and to recognize and give thanks and praise God except this alien? And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.’” Luke 17:11-19.
The term health in verse 19 means wholeness. There is a huge difference between receiving a healing and having wholeness of mind, body and spirit. The New Jerusalem Bible states it this way: “Get up, you may go; your trust has saved you.” The Passion Translation says, “Then Jesus said to the healed man lying at his feet, ‘Arise and go. It was your faith that brought you salvation and healing.’”
The presence of thankfulness or its lack is a matter of the condition of the heart of man. Clearly, thankfulness and gratitude are equated with faith in God. Jesus answered the prayers of the ten men for healing, but without request He gave wholeness and salvation to the one who returned to thank Him. When we are consistently grateful to the LORD, the heavens are opened on our behalf. Here are some powerful scriptures to meditate on:
“Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7.
“I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1.
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1.
“Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:2-3.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28.
Thanksgiving and praise are directly related to our faith in God and accelerate our hope in Him. It gives us a greater sense of happiness and may well be the seed of miracles.
Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord bless all that you do. May He bless your going out and your coming in. May He bless everything you put your hand to. May your home be filled with provision for yourself and others. May your life be filled with His peace that surpasses all understanding and may His love be the banner which soars over your house. May we all enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise for He is a mighty God and worthy of all our praise!
