4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

 

The beauty of giving God thanks is that He totally deserves it. Christ came and demonstrated the goodness of God so that those around Jesus called Him good master, good teacher. Jesus pointed to His divine nature when He asked, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone." Even His most critical enemies could do no better than invent feeble charges which Pontius Pilate could easily see when he concluded: "I find no fault in Him." That's just the point! God doesn't want us just to call Him good. He wants us to believe and know He is good, that He has showered blessing and power down upon us - not just in a general sense in nature, but in very specific ways. Jesus has forgiven our sins, freed us from the dominion of sin, chosen us and brought us into intimate fellowship so that His presence actually dwells within us - individually and in His body the church.

 

He provides for us abundantly with every good thing and allows us to enjoy His harvest in peace and security because of His strength. Hopefully, this week has been a reminder of how good we do have it. We can never drain the fountain of God's blessing. The stream of God is still full of water. God's desire is to open up the windows of heaven and rain down so much blessing that our hearts will be silenced in reverent awe as well as stirred to shouts of joy.

 

So how do we express our thankfulness? Pray to God aloud. He is the one who can transform our attitude and learn to express thanksgiving to Him - for people and situations. He will help us better express gratitude to others.

 

I can also express my thanksgiving in a group. That was what Psalm 65 was. We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. Worship can be a personal thing, but thanksgiving also pleases God when we share His goodness with one another.  We all benefit in praising God together. That is why I like testimony times when we can hear and share prayers and praises for our great God.

 

Application: 

Sing in song for all He does. Let the earth declare His praise.

Sing: “God is so Good. He answers prayer; I’ll praise His name”

Sing aloud to the praise of our Lord. Write a prayer to Him. Let Him know your Thanksgiving.

 

Prayer: Thank you, God, for your countless blessings and your unwavering love. 

 

Dale