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Giving God His Due and Overdue Thanks

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Psalm 50:23 ESV).

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15 NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV).

Heavenly Father, obeying these gratitude Scriptures should be a “piece of cake” for us, for a lot of reasons. Thank you for being such an outrageously kind, immeasurably generous, relentlessly faithful God. Though the weakness of our flesh, and the whisperings of the devil, constantly work to sabotage our thankfulness, we want to praise you big time today.

First of all, thank you for the “indescribable gift” of the gospel. Because of Jesus, no condemnation is left for our sin, perfect righteousness is declared to be ours, and we’ll never experience separation from your love. We’re your children, heaven’s citizens, and Jesus’s Bride. Oh, the knee-buckling wonder of it all.

Thank you for your commitment to finish your work of salvation in us. We crave the Day we’ll be made like him, but we rest in the good news that you don’t love us to the degree we’re like Christ, but to the degree we’re in Christ—which is 100%.

Father, thank you for being steadfastly at work for our good in all things (Rom. 8:28)—in the things that thrill us and the things that vex us; in in the wounds that hurt us and the failures that haunt us; in “unanswered” prayers and unexpected gifts; in delayed flights and in countless delights.

You are Lord of the biggest fish we’ll ever catch, and the biggest disappointments we’ll ever know; the happiness that fills our day and the fears that rob our joy, the “kings” that make us crazy, and your Kingdom that’s surely coming. You’ve got it all in your hand and heart—the circumstances, people, and stories over which we have zippo control.

Thank you for being God and thank you for being good—all the time, when we see it, and when we doubt it. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ exalted and trustworthy name.

 

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