Giving thanks is important. It sets things in proper perspective and allows the given to give proper thanks to the giver. That’s why I love Thanksgiving so much. It’s a time when families get together without some of the pressures of Christmas and have an opportunity to enjoy each other and some time to pause and reflect on the things that really matter. Hopefully that just described the time you recently had.
Psalm 9 says…
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
James 1:17 reminds us that…
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
When we understand that every good and perfect gift comes from God, then we realize the more we focus on the giver of these things, the more gifts we become aware of. I love how Scripture gives us so many attributes and names for God. As each one tells us more about who he is, what he does, even how he relates to others, each name helps me understand, treasure, and worship Him more and more. It gives me more of a glimpse of the invisible attributes, the eternal power and divine nature Romans 1:20 refers to.
If your Thanksgiving got a little busy and you weren’t able to properly and fully recognize the origin of the blessings in your life, here are a couple of places in Scripture where God reveals himself, his nature, his goodness to us. Use this as a guide to help you do that a little more this season of giving thanks.
When was the last time you simply thanked God as your Creator?
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3
Sometimes our biggest blessings are the things right around us in our everyday lives that we take for granted. As you look outside, walk around, even drive down the road, look for the gifts you don’t normally see and thank God for them. Let your natural response of worship overflow.
When was the last time you simply thanked God as your Shepherd?
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. John 10:14
Be reminded that you, as a child of God, are currently being guided and led, conditioned and protected in ways that you see and understand as well as ways that are beyond your knowledge. As you become more aware of these things, let your natural response of worship overflow.
When was the last time you simply thanked God as your Counselor?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
With all of the craziness of life, there is One who keeps us sane. Think about all of the pressures of life that could overwhelm you, think of all the potential hardships of life that could overtake you. When you have these things in mind, then allow the peace from the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father bring your sanity again. When you experience this, let your natural response of worship overflow.
When was the last time you simply thanked God as your Hope?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Hope is a powerful thing, even more elevated as this world in which we live becomes more and more hopeless. To be specific, He is not just your hope, but He is your only hope. He is not just your hope, He is the hope for the whole world. Hope is not only a powerful thing to us, but also to those we are called to minister to. As you sense the awareness of your hopelessness apart from Christ, and the hope you receive daily as well as the hope you offer to a hopeless world, let your natural response of worship overflow.
When you take some time with even just a few of the attributes of God, my hope is you begin to realize that He is more present than you previously realized. You have received everything and more than you need to continue this journey with passion and perseverance. When you experience this, let your natural life of worship overflow.
