In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why be thankful? It is the clear will of God. Always. In every situation of life, being thankful is absolutely what God would have you to do. And it is a great thing to know that you are doing God’s will according to His Word. Hebrews 13:15 tells us that our giving of thanks should be continual. So, again, we see, always, for every thing, giving thanks.
Why be thankful? Because God is good. Always. Because God is merciful. Always. 1 Chronicles 16, 2 Chronicles 5, Ezra 3, and Psalms 106, 107, 118, and 136 all proclaim, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 100 states the same, but with a little variation in wording. It seems that God’s goodness and His mercy are most often the biblical reason for thankfulness.
Why be thankful? Because God has freed us from the bondage of sin.
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” Romans 6:17
Why be thankful? Because God is causing us to triumph.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Why be thankful? On the practical side, having a grateful heart, remembering all of God’s goodness and mercy towards us, considering what great things He has done, helps conform us to His Word and drives away selfishness, strife, unforgiveness, and bitternesss.
And it certainly gets our focus off of ourselves; it's better to look at an eternal and loving God and Saviour than... anything else! When you are tempted to worry, pray; when you are tempted to worry, be thankful. Both of which cause us to look to the Lord and find strength.
ReplyDelete