When Jacob feared for his life, he prayed, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant” (Gen. 32:10).
When God delivered the Israelites out of the hand of Pharaoh, Moses said, “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation: He is my God” (Exod. 15:2).
Moses told the people of Israel to be thankful when their stomachs were full: “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God” (Deut.8:10-11).
Hannah was miserable because she couldn’t have children and because a woman tormented her in her grief. When Hannah kept pouring out her heart to God the Lord heard her prayer and blessed her with a son. Then she thanked God for His goodness: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation” (I Sam. 2:1).
David wrote, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100).
David also wrote, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever” Psalm 136:1-3).
When Jesus healed ten lepers, one came back to thank Him. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?’ (Luke 17:15-17).
In the midst of a storm at sea that left the people in a situation that seemed hopeless, Paul encouraged them and prayed. “And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all” (Acts 27:35).
Even in worrisome times, the Bible tells us to remember to thank God for all the good things He gives us. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thess. 5:16-18).
Kerry
West End Bulletin for November 29, 2020
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