Minister's Blog

Choose Thanksgiving
We can all get a little gripey at times. This flows from our fleshly desires and sometimes might even seem justified (especially during an election cycle). Taking time to pause and reflect on God’s goodness and grace gives glory and honor to God, and has spiritual and emotional, even mental health benefits for the follower of Christ. This principle is seen repeatedly in the Psalms as the psalmist lays injustice, sickness, weariness, and complaints before the Lord. This may go on at great length, but finally there will be a turning point. The psalmist will finally turn and look to God. He will reaffirm his hope in the Lord and begin to thank the Lord for His help and sustaining power in times past and in days to come. Oh, that we might learn this lesson and apply it faithfully in our lives! Psalm 69 is a perfect illustration of this process.
Psalm 69:1-2 (ESV) states: Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. David is crying out to God in desperation as one who is overwhelmed. Sound familiar? He does not stop there. David continues to lay his complaint before the Lord for 29 verses. He complains because of the hatred of others toward him, his own sin, disgrace and shame he has borne, injustice he has been forced to endure, and his own emotional pain and despair. David holds nothing back, but finally there is a turning point. Verse 30 states: I will praise God’s name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. There needs to be a point in our prayer when we stop and realign ourselves in our relationship with God. He is God. He is good and merciful. He is worthy of our praise. Thanksgiving helps us do this. It takes the focus off of us and places it on the Lord. How do people spiral into a place of depression? It begins with the inability or unwillingness to take their focus off of the issue(s) or problem(s) that plague them. When David begins to thank and praise the Lord he is reminded that his actions are to please the Lord and to positively affect others. He states: That will please Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. (vs. 31-32)
I want to encourage us to choose thanksgiving this November! We will find it will honor the Lord, bless our walk with the Lord, and encourage those around us. Take some time and list some of the reasons you have to give God thanks, take these things to Him in prayer and worship daily, and then share them with someone else. There will be ample opportunities in the life of the church this month, but you have opportunities everyday to be a point of light and thanksgiving in your workplace or daily routines. Choose thanksgiving today!