Thank You, Lord

Earlier this week Bethany and I went to Bible study at ROAR, a neighborhood for people with disabilities. Our discussion centered on thanksgiving, not the holiday, but some of the approximately 171 times the word is mentioned in the Bible (depending on version).

We had such a great time with the students; we thought it might be a perspective you’d be interested in reading.

When we first asked, when does the Bible tell us to be thankful, the answers of “Every day,” and “Everywhere” were quick replies. And of course, that’s accurate. Colossians 3:17 tells us Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Okay, but everywhere and all the time are the easy answers. We took time to look at several specific verses for more detailed instruction.

Romans 14:6, He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks.

Pie, fried chicken and ribs were identified as favorite foods and are easy to thank God for. Keeping an attitude of gratitude took a little more energy when foods like liver and fish were mentioned. Perspective was gained when one student said, “even food we don’t like has nutrients and can help our bodies. We need to be thankful for those because there are people who don’t have any food.”

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him and bless his name.

The first reflection shared expressed the joy and thanks we’ll experience when we get to Heaven. With some more discussion, we came to understand our attitude of being thankful includes when we enter God’s presence in church, in our private times of Bible reading and worship, and when we take part in Bible study.

Psalm 92:1-2 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praise to your Name…to declare your lovingkindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night.

Ideas for morning thanks included: food, dreams we had, our life and breath, good sleep, a place to live, a hot shower, our plans for the day, birds, clear days with blue skies, the sun and the weather.

Nighttime thanks may include the setting sun, a full moon, a good day in which we enjoyed good food, a comfortable bed with pillows and blankets that let us sleep well, safety, friends, family and our faithful God.

Psalm 119:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous laws.

Very few of us try to be awake at midnight or enjoy waking once we’ve fallen asleep. Often when we wake up at night, it’s because we have a lot on our mind, are excited about an upcoming event, or we’re not feeling well. These scenarios reminded us to be thankful for the full lives we have with much to do, for the people who help us, that God always meets our needs. We can also reflect thanks for the days we’ve been healthy, and for medical people and medications that help us when we don’t feel well.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.

We start Bible study by gathering prayer requests. Often the things shared are worries we have. Concerns for a family member having surgery, holiday visits with family and the sometimes trying dynamics of those visits, health needs, and upcoming special events. Each concern can be turned around as thanks, while also being thankful others are helping us carry these burdens.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Praising God is one way we can thank him. When we hear our pets barking, meowing and chirping, or see other animals in the countryside we’re reminded that they too are some of the “everything that breathes” which praise Him!

Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:20  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being vigilant (aware and focused) to thank God in everything ended our study with a broader list of other blessings for which we are thankful. Flowers, grass, trees, wheelchairs and walkers, Noah’s Ark, staff to help us, clothes, walking, jobs, money, activities we enjoy, like swimming, basketball and bowling.

And most of all, we expressed thanks for Baby Jesus, who grew to be a man and went to the cross to forgive our sins and wash our hearts clean, making the way for us to live with Him forever. We’re grateful He hears and answers our prayers and is always with us.

We wrapped up our study with homework: to find something to thank God for in each thing we encounter every day. One student suggested we each write 8 things a day we are thankful for. Not a bad idea. Want to join us?

If you’re one who loves music to reinforce an idea, check out this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRNCjnZYkA