ON GIVING THANKS…

…I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High…(Psalm 9:1-2)
“The absence of praise and thanksgiving pleases the enemy of God,” penned one of our pioneers, Ellen White. She was reflecting on another Psalm (50:23) where God says “Whoever offers praise and thanksgiving, glorifies Me!” So, how ready are you to give thanks? Will it be only this once?
This weekend in many homes will be a busy one - the smells drifting from the kitchen, the guests, the planning, maybe even gifts. It is an excellent opportunity to take time and thank people who made significant impacts in our lives.
I invite you to think about the word “gratitude” It is a combination of two words: “Grace” and “attitude.” When our attitude is transformed by Grace then we can give true thanksgiving. So, the pen of inspiration continues “Have we not every reason for changing our attitude toward God? Is it not our duty to show the world that we appreciate the love of Christ? As we produce the fruit of thanksgiving, we bear living evidence that by connection with Christ we are placed on vantage ground… He has done for His chosen people that which should inspire every heart with praise and thanksgiving; and it grieves Him that so little praise is offered. He desires to have a stronger expression of praise from His people, showing that they know they have reason for manifesting joy and gladness.” (Review & Herald, November 20, 1900)
The Hebrew word “towdah,” often translated “praise,” is better represented by word “thanksgiving.” Usually when believers are gathered together, singing is the first item to begin worship. Attending a pastors’ prayer meeting this week with pastor Rudy Alvir, I commented to him how differently he group begins the worship time – simply by offering thanks to God, taking turns telling out-loud what we are thankful for. I invite you this weekend, as you get at your tables, praise God by telling what you are thankful for. And, there is another dimension to that Hebrew word, for which we would have to invent a new word in English – “thanksdoing.” After you thank god for what He has done, consider what you can do to make this “giving of Grace grow.”