THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE THANKS
We will be a grateful people. Not in theory, in practice. We will bless the LORD at all times, because His mercy endureth for ever. We refuse the darkness of grumbling and the prison of self-pity.
In every thing we will give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. We will enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise.
We will remember His benefits, rehearse His promises, and answer every valley with a song.
Praise be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Friends, this is not polite religion. This is war, worship, and witness. Thank You, Lord.
Why Gratitude Matters Right Now
Brethren, let’s talk straight. Gratitude is not a personality quirk, it is obedience. The Bible does not say “try gratitude when it feels natural.” It says, “In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV). That is clear. That is loving. That is urgent.
Maybe you ask, How can I thank God with bills due, the car making new sounds, and my coffee cold? Friends, the Scripture calls us to a thankful posture because gratitude fixes our gaze on who God is, not just on how we feel. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1). His goodness is not seasonal. His mercy is not fragile.
Praise the Lord, the Word stacks the commands so we cannot miss them: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God” (Ephesians 5:20), and “whatsoever ye do in word or deed… giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17). Do you hear the rhythm? Always, in everything, whatsoever. That cadence is meant to carry you when your feelings do not.
And there is a warning. “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful” (Romans 1:21). Ingratitude is not a small mood. It is a slide toward darkness. Friends, choose light.
What Gratitude Really Is
Gratitude is a response to grace. From Hebrew todah and yadah to Greek eucharistia, Scripture shows thanks as words, songs, offerings, and a lifestyle. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). That is heart work and mouth work together.
Think of praise, prayer, and thanks as a three-strand cord. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). You cannot pull one strand without the others tightening. When you praise God’s character, thankfulness rises. When you pray, thanksgiving guards your heart. When you give thanks, joy wakes up inside you.
Old Testament Witnesses: Gratitude On The Ground
David’s voice still leads us. He stationed Levites to give thanks before the ark (1 Chronicles 16). He sang, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever” again and again (see Psalm 136). Caves, battlefields, palaces, it did not matter. David kept the thanksgiving flowing.
Thank offerings mattered. “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:22). They brought a visible, costly “thank You” to God. Today our altar is the heart and our public testimony.
Daniel would not flinch. Decrees could change, lions could roar, but Daniel “kneeled upon his knees… and prayed, and gave thanks… as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10). Habitual gratitude under pressure. Praise be to God.
Jonah thanked God before the exit sign appeared. “I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving… Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Still in seaweed, already grateful. Faith talks that way.
Hannah sang her thanks. “My heart rejoiceth in the LORD” (1 Samuel 2:1–2). She asked. God answered. She returned praise and even returned the gift. Friends, gratitude gives back.
And do not forget the song on the far shore. “I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously” (Exodus 15:1–2). Deliverance, then doxology. That pattern has not changed.
New Testament Witnesses: Gratitude Supercharged
Jesus Himself gave thanks. He lifted the loaves and fishes and “gave thanks” (John 6:11). On the night He was betrayed He “took bread, and gave thanks” (Luke 22:19). He knew the cross was coming, yet He blessed the cup. Friends, if the Lord gave thanks in Gethsemane’s shadow, we can give thanks in Monday’s traffic.
Ten lepers were cleansed, one was grateful. He “with a loud voice glorified God… giving Him thanks” and Jesus said, “thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:15–19). Gratitude is faith with a voice.
Paul turned prisons into sanctuaries. “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God” and God shook the jail open (Acts 16:25–26). He writes, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3), “We give thanks to God always for you all” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Even bruised and chained, he could say, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) and “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Thankfulness became church DNA. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts… and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually… giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). The sacrifices did not end, they changed address, right here on our lips.
Heaven is loud with thanksgiving. “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 11:17). “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving… be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12). Gratitude is not just for now. It is the sound of forever.
One Golden Thread From Genesis To Revelation
Promise and fulfillment. The Old Testament thanks God for deliverances along the way. The New Testament thanks God for the Deliverer Himself. Different scenes, same song. “O praise the LORD, all ye nations” (Psalm 117:1) finds an answer as the Gospel runs to the ends of the earth, hearts filling with “singing and making melody… giving thanks always for all things” (Ephesians 5:18–20).
Warning and wisdom. Israel grumbled and paid for it. “Neither murmur ye” (1 Corinthians 10:10). Instead, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4). The gate into joy is not complaint, it is thankfulness.
Firstfruits and fullness. Pentecost began as harvest thanks, then in Acts the Spirit fell and the first fruits of the nations were gathered with grateful praise. Our lives keep that festival going.
Living This Out Today
Friends, here is where the rubber meets the road. Not theory. Practice.
1) Make Thanks Your Daily Default
Start with God’s gifts, not your list. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Open prayer with gratitude. Keep a short list through the day. Whisper, “Thank You, Lord,” in real time. “God inhabits the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). If you want His presence, make room with thanks.
2) Thank God In, Not For, Everything
Hear it again, “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You do not bless the cancer or the car crash. You bless the God who is with you in it. Try Daniel’s “aforetime” habit (Daniel 6:10). Try Jonah’s “in advance” thanks (Jonah 2:9). Try Job’s surrender, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Honest tears, real thanks. Both can live in the same prayer.
3) Use Gratitude As Warfare
Heaviness coming for you? Put on the uniform. “The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). Sing at midnight like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25–26). Watch the chains in your chest begin to loosen. The devil traffics in murmuring. Starve him.
4) Learn Contentment
Paul says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Contentment is the soil where gratitude grows tall. Water it with thanksgiving. Keep your eyes on “Jesus… who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). His joy can steady your heart.
5) Tell It
“Make known His deeds among the people” (echoing 1 Chronicles 16). Share around the table. Tell your church. Post the praise. Aim the credit right where it belongs. Your gratitude might spark someone else’s song.
A Loving Warning, A Strong Invitation
Brethren, I say this with a pastor’s heart. Ingratitude will shrink your world. It will sour your speech, cloud your eyes, and steal your courage. Gratitude will open your life. It will tune your ear to grace, turn prisons into sanctuaries, and pull tomorrow’s hope into today’s fight.
So choose today. Enter His gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4). “O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 106:1). Friends, praise be to God, who “giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Thank You, Lord.
A Simple Liturgy For Your Week
- Morning: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Name three.
- Midday: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). Pray it out loud.
- Evening: “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts… and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). Release the day to God.
- Gathering: Bread in hand, remember He gave thanks (Luke 22:19). Whisper, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
- Battle hour: Sing at midnight. God still shakes doors (Acts 16:25–26).
Prayer Of Decision
Father, we give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17). Teach our lips the sacrifice of praise continually (Hebrews 13:15). Forgive our murmuring. Plant in us that Daniel-like habit, that Jonah-like faith, that David-like song, that Paul-like perseverance, that Samaritan-like return to fall at Jesus’ feet. Today we choose the narrow gate of thanksgiving. Lead us in triumph, for salvation is of the LORD (Jonah 2:9). In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scriptures Woven Through This Message
For study and meditation: Psalm 136:1, Psalm 106:1, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 103:2, Psalm 117:1, Psalm 22:3, Psalm 107:22, Exodus 15:1–2, 1 Chronicles 16, 1 Samuel 2:1–2, Daniel 6:10, Jonah 2:9, Habakkuk 3:17–18, Job 1:21, Matthew 26:26–28 parallel Luke 22:19, John 6:11, Luke 17:15–19, Acts 16:25–26, Romans 1:21, 1 Corinthians 10:10, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Ephesians 5:18–20, Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 1:3, Philippians 4:11, Colossians 3:15, Colossians 3:17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:15, James 1:17, Revelation 7:12, Revelation 11:17.
Friends, let’s go live it.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
