Oh, Give Thanks

 



I spotted this lovely butterfly sitting atop an equally lovely flower in a garden at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina a few years ago. Although both the butterfly and the flower are long-gone, but their short lives had purpose in the plan of God. They were each faithfully fulfilling their purpose in God's world and, therefore, glorifying Him in these simple acts.

 

Our number one purpose in life is to glorify our great Creator. Bringing glory to His name includes seeking to live with a thankful heart. I know that life's circumstances don't always lend themselves to a great feeling of gushing thankfulness, but choosing to offer thanks unto God in spite of difficulties is pleasing to our Lord.

 

Psalm 105 offers a lovely template for a grateful heart:

 

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done..."

 

Notice how many explanation marks are in those few verses. The Psalmist was not only mouthing words of thanks, he was doing so with great enthusiasm. He recognized that our very breath is a gift from God and in spite of the negatives in this world (which are a result of living in a sinful world), God is gracious and God is loving and God has an ultimately good plan for His children.

 

I'll borrow another verse from the Psalms, this time 103 by David: "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"