Spiritually Speaking: Reasons to Give Thanks to the Lord

By Staff Report

By Dr. Ron Woodworth

Psalm 103:1-5: Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me — bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget none of his benefits …

At Thanksgiving, Christians need to remind ourselves of these blessings lest we forget what God has provided for us as part of our kingdom inheritance.

  1. Who forgives all your sins? We ought always to give thanks to the Lord for His grace and power to forgive every sin — past, present and future. This is not an excuse to sin but a reason to rejoice.
  2. Who heals all your diseases? Jesus heals the brokenness of our lives whether we are sick in spirit, soul or body. God heals in three ways: medically (by physicians and medications), naturally (by the innate recuperative power in our bodies) and supernaturally (by the prayer of faith and trust).
  3. Who redeems your life from the pit? God is always ready to deliver us from any and every circumstance, no matter how bad it may get. This is especially important for those of us who may be in trouble right now because of our misguided decision-making. Even if we should have known better, God does not abandon us.
  4. Who crowns you with love and compassion?  A crown is part of the wardrobe of rulers, indicating nobility and special prominence. We are this important to God.
  5. Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles? See Isaiah 40:31 for a beautiful description of the spiritual refreshment God provides.

Our kingdom benefits are reason enough for thanksgiving. As Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Let us follow the example of Daniel: “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God — regardless of the dangerous circumstances in which he found himself.” (Daniel 6:10)

Dr. Ron Woodworth is an online faculty member at GCU. He teaches Christian worldview, university success, philosophy, communication and information literacy. He is a published author, organizational consultant and leadership coach. He also is a retired pastor, having served for more than 25 years.

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