A Heart of Thanksgiving
“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” Ps.116: 12-19
Many people take credit for their success in life and take for granted the benefits of God. Any grateful and right minded person has to stop sometimes to count his blessings, and thank God for all His benefits toward him. This beautiful Psalm sets forth an excellent example of the proper attitude a person should have toward God. After so many natural disasters this year, we ought to be more grateful for the greater benefits God bestows upon us. As David, the author of that Psalm, let us consider a few blessings from God that we should be thankful for. Let us also express our Thanksgiving not with lips service, but in a tangible way.
- Physical benefits
Living in a world of materialism, we are prone to count our blessings by taking inventory of the material goods we have accumulated. However, physical health is one of the most important benefits a person can receive from God. You will not realize it until you are no longer capable of enjoying the materials because of health issues. God does not only bestow health, but He also protects us from many bodily injuries and harms in a daily basis. The Psalmist recognized physical benefits as blessings from God. “The pains of death encompassed me, and the pangs of hell laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow, then I called upon the name of the Lord…” Ps. 116:3. We ought to be thankful for the gifts of health and daily physical protection. - Spiritual benefits
Above all other blessings, David emphasized the spiritual benefit of a relationship with God. Salvation is the greatest benefit a man can receive from God. “ You have delivered my soul from death…” Ps. 116:8 Sometime, our financial hardship, poor health or other difficulties of life may tend to cloud that great benefit, which is the salvation of our soul. Jesus once said to his followers: “What will it profit a man if has the whole world, and loses his soul…” Matt. 16:26. We ought to be thankful for the gift of salvation, by which God liberates us from the bondage of sin and eternal condemnation. - A heart of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving for David was not lips service. In consideration of all the blessings, he had decided what to do to prove to God that he was truly grateful. He took 5 (five) decisions to express his gratitude. I have decided to call them the 5 (five) “I WILL”- V.13 “I will take up the cup of salvation.” Recognizing that salvation is the greatest gift of all.
- V.14 “I will pay my vows to the Lord.” A promise made to God during a crisis should be kept.
- V.17a “I will offer to you a sacrifice of Thanksgiving.” We should not wait until it is convenient, or easy to carry out a vow to God. We should do it, even if it calls for sacrifice –Time – Money, etc.
- V.17b “I will call upon the name of the Lord.” That has to do with communion with God – not just when we want things, but simply for the pleasure of talking with Him.
- V.18 “I will pay my vows to the Lord.” There is a nuance between v.14 and v.18. Here, David mentioned in the preceding verse “In the Lord’s house.” Expressing gratitude cannot be always a private affair. The congregation can also learn, encourage and benefit from the action of a grateful heart.
Conclusion. If the world does not realize the need to thank God for all He has done. We, Christians, should thank Him daily. Surely God has been good to all of us to motivate us to give Him praise and Thanksgiving. Let us say with David, “Blessed the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Ps. 103:2
Happy Thanksgiving to all the members and friends of Redemption Baptist Church!
Event’s Guest-Speaker
Pastor Jean Marc Desire