“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
Psalms 103:2 NLT
Have you ever encountered people who believe they are entitled to everything and find it difficult to appreciate even the best things done for them? They quickly forget any favours or acts of goodwill shown to them. Not King David. He commanded his soul to give thanks to God. In the subsequent verses, he mentioned all the benefits God has loaded us with before rounding off with praises.
A large part of this psalm was prophecies of the benefits of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, all of which have become our realities.
In verse 3, David expressed gratitude for the forgiveness of sins– one of God’s greatest gifts (Ephesians 1:3, 7; Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 8:12). This should stir up thanksgiving in you. David went further to let us know that not only have our sins been forgiven, our diseases have also been healed. What a benefit to be thankful for! Have you ever experienced God’s healing power? You have every reason to be full of gratitude.
Even if some things are not quite right in your world, there’s always a reason to give thanks. Because you’ve been saved from eternal damnation, you have every reason to thank God. Your challenges are not one-of-a-kind. The Apostles experienced persecution of all sorts yet still remained thankful. (Acts 5:41, Acts 16:25). When we rejoice and express gratitude amid difficulties, we minimize its power and highlight God’s authority over it.
This weekend, spend time reflecting on and giving thanks for the goodness of God. Remain thankful.
Bible Reading Plan: John 4:15-26, James 5: 13-20, Ecclesiastes 9, Jeremiah 30-31