Give Thanks

Author: Amy Zullo
November 23, 2022

The Bible has much to say about giving thanks.  Psalm 107 is a good example.  The first verse tells us to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Verses 2 and 3 encourage us to tell our story of being redeemed by God.  The following verses give examples of “some” who are in difficult circumstances but when they cry out to the Lord, he delivers them.  Each example ends with the refrain, “let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.”  I am thankful for God’s love, which never fails.

Jesus provides an example of giving thanks in the stories of the feeding of the five thousand.  Matthew 14:19-21 it says, “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” When I give thanks to God for what he has provided, it leads me to be more compassionate and generous with others. 

Paul begins most of his letters with a prayer of thanksgiving for the church in that city.  For example, Ephesians 1:15-16 says, “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”  I am thankful for the love that’s God’s people have shown to me, especially those of my MPC family.  I remember you in my prayers.   
The Bible urges us to be thankful in all circumstances.  In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  As someone who frequently can feel overwhelmed and anxious about life circumstances, these verses are a good reminder to have gratitude and to pray in every situation. 

Near the end of the Bible, in Revelation 11:16-17, it says, “And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.  As we were reminded this week on the “Reign of Christ Sunday”, Christ’s reign has already begun; the kingdom of God is “already but not yet.” 

BACK