Title: The Power of Thanksgiving
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” – Psalms 100:4
A man standing outside a court house screaming at the top of his lungs will only be constituted as a nuisance though he might have a valid case to present before the judge. The angels at the gates are under instructions, “no thanksgiving, no access”. The scripture commands, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”( 1 Thessa 5:18). Your current situation is not an excuse to stop giving thanks.
Why do I have to be thankful you might ask? Thanksgiving is the lubricant that keeps the engine of our relationship with the God going. If a car lacks engine oil, it will fail. If a cars brake system lacks oil, it will fail. If our relationship with God lacks thanksgiving it will fail. Complaining and murmuring doesn’t make situations better. It amplifies our frustration, spreads discontentment, which invites the devil to steal our joy. With joy do we draw water out of the well of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Murmuring and complaints kills our spirit man. It blinds us from seeing good around us. All the children of Israel murmured and complained = perished in the wilderness (Numbers 14:29).
[pullquote]“Anyone who is among the living has hope. Even a living dog is better off than a dead lion!”(Ecclesiastes 9:4).[/pullquote] We only have to look around us to appreciate God’s goodness in our lives. He is forbearing, faithful, merciful, long suffering and just. Because of his mercies we have no being consumed (lamentation3:22) and If the Lord was to mark our iniquities none of us will stand (Psalms 130:3).
A key reason why we must always give thanks is that, “Thanksgiving unlocks the supernatural”. We have a prime example in the biblical story of the feeding of the five thousand with a small boy’s lunch. Jesus stood and gave thanks; and what wasn’t enough became surplus (John 6:11). He also gave thanks at the tomb of Lazarus. What looks like a hopeless situation turned into colourful celebration of life (John11:41).
Lack of gratitude has its root in pride. A river that forgets its source will run dry. An act of gratitude is humility and God gives graces to the humble (James 4:6). We all need God’s grace to run the race. Grace covers our errors and colours our efforts.
Thanksgiving is also a booster of our faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (hebrews 11:6). It helps us psychologically to believe God for answers to our request. A man who is not thankful for what he has, would not be thankful for he will get.
Thanksgiving is the antidote to depression. We complain about not having shoes until we see someone without any feet. We must all learn to do all things without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). Thank you is a phrase we must learn to use regularly.
Finally I define thanksgiving as inward feeling of appreciation expressed outwardly in form of gratitude.
Prayer Points
- Father, I thank you for the gift of life – Psalms 3:5
- Father, I acknowledge you as my source and provider – Proverbs 3:5
- Father, thank you for your undeserved kindness and mercies – Psalms 130:3
