Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Giving Thanks to God


Neethi Prasad Kochamma
St. Stephen's MTC, NJ


1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Research proves that anything said over three times gets immediately registered in the human mind and can leave a lasting memory for over a life time. We could then imagine what impact one verse that is repeated over 26 times in the same psalm can have. Although the author of the Psalm is not exactly known, scholars say David perhaps wrote it at the time when he danced around the ark for joy.

Over the course of the Bible we see this psalm being an integral part of the life of the Israelites. In II Chronicles 5:13 we see this psalm was chanted by the Israelites in praise and thanksgiving when the ark was brought into the temple. We see that in Ezra 3:11 this psalm was sung when the foundation for the new temple was laid. Jeremiah even used it while he was in prison (Jeremiah 33:11).  This psalm is a song for every season and for every reason. No matter what situation we are going through in life, we can rest assured that the Lord is good and his love endures forever.


This should be our ASAP Psalm:
A Psalm of Assurance: This psalm assures us that the steadfast love and mercy that God showed towards the Israelites is still at work in our lives too. This verse was repeated over and over again to remind the Israelites and us that God’s love is with us every day and there is nothing we need to fear. The phrase “fear not” is repeated for over 366 times in the Bible assuring us that each day of the year God is in perfect control of our lives.

A Psalm of Salvation: The story of God’s salvation is retold in this psalm in relation to God’s attributes. God is described as creator (verses 4-9), as a savior of the Israelites (verses 10-16), and also as a deliverer (verses 17-25). Just as God was a savior and deliverer for the Israelites, God has worked wonders in our life, by sending his only begotten Son to die for us on the cross for us, reminding us that his love never ceases.

A Psalm for All Times and All Ages: This psalm was chanted by the Israelites thousands of years ago and continued to be sung by various people on various occasions. Generation after generation, this psalm is still relevant. Even in a family circle, every member of the family, from any age group or any walk of life, can still enjoy this psalm for what it stands for. Young and old alike can make this psalm theirs.

A Psalm of Promise: The psalm begins and ends with the same verse which is one of the greatest promises that was ever proclaimed. We have a God who keeps his promises. He loves us, and his love endures forever. He will take care of us, just as he took care of the Israelites ages ago even when they doubted him or were very ungrateful. This is a promise we can always depend on.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day tomorrow, we have enough reasons to be thankful to God: for his assurance, salvation, and the promises he offers us day by day. Let us not be like the Israelites who grumbled against God, but let us be grateful for all that we have received from him. May our Thanksgiving celebrations help us to humbly approach God with thankful hearts.

PRAYER

 Loving God, we want to thank you for being with us from generation to generation. We thank you for the assurance we have in your presence and in your saving grace. Above all we want to thank you for the promises you have given us. We thank you because your steadfast love never ceases and because your mercies are new every morning. In your name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our Thanksgiving celebrations should enable us to wholeheartedly praise and thank our God, for it is from him that all blessings flow and whose love endures through the ages.

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