To praise and thank God is to acknowledge His greatness and give glory for all that we have and who we are. A failure to do this is why King Herod was struck down by an angel, and his body was consumed by worms, because he failed to give God the glory (Acts 12:21-23).
Malachi 2:1-2: “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart.”
God expects us to return and express gratitude for what He has done. It is essential to remember all that God has done for us, and then to thank and praise Him for His mercy, His faithfulness, His kindness, and His provision.
Benefits of Thanksgiving
Staying thankful helps you stay in faith, reminding you of God’s power and faithfulness in your life. It keeps the big picture in the forefront of your heart, you are able to maintain a broader perspective on God’s purposes, even amidst challenges.
Thanksgiving reminds you that the same God who has begun a work in you is faithful to complete it. You can’t know His ability to finish what He started unless you first reflect on all that He has done so far.
The Bible records that only one of the ten lepers who were healed returned to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19). If this act of gratitude wasn’t significant, the Bible wouldn’t have mentioned it. Thanksgiving sets you apart and aligns you with God’s will.
Praise removes selfishness from your heart. Instead of rushing into God’s presence with demands, thanksgiving helps you shift your focus from self-centeredness to simply enjoying being in His presence.
Standing in Faith Through Praise
When you’re standing in faith, and things seem to go against what you’re believing for, keep praise on your lips. Continue thanking God for the answer, no matter the circumstances. Focus on God’s Word, and praise Him that the mountain in front of you will be moved.
Specially from Toju to you: I believe the final key to seeing a change in that situation or receiving the answer you’ve been praying for may be this: you haven’t thanked God nearly as much as you’ve prayed to Him.
Rejoice Always! (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
To rejoice means to feel or express great joy or delight. It’s not a quiet or solemn act; it’s meant to be visible, full of life and energy!
What does rejoicing look like?
It looks like jumping, shouting, and raising your hands in the air with pure joy. It’s contagious!
Don’t believe me? Just try expressing joy with a big grin near a little child, and watch how the child responds, I bet they’ll likely catch your excitement!
Now, whenever you rejoice, picture the scene, imagine countless angels rejoicing with you as you celebrate!
Let your joy overflow, loud and visible, for it’s a celebration that heaven itself joins in!
