Give Thanks for God’s Love

thanksgiving day 3

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29

“Thanksgiving – giving thanks in everything – prepares the way that God might show us the fullest salvation in Christ.” -Ann Voskamp

 

  • Grab your Bible, journal, and a pen. Light a candle and prepare your heart to meet with Jesus. Pray that He will speak to you today and give you a fresh revelation.
  • It’s time to meet with Jesus! Open your Bible and read Psalm 118:1-29. Underline the verses that stand out to you. Write verse 1 in your journal. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His Love endures forever.”

Give Thanks for God’s Love

We serve a good and loving God. His love for us is unending. Why then is it such a struggle to give thanks to Him?

So often, instead of giving thanks, I compare myself to others and long for what they have, but when I make those comparisons, I lose focus on my Heavenly Father. I fail to notice the good and perfect gifts he has given ME (James 1:17).

In contrast when I focus on the things of God – His Word and His promises – I put blinders on so my eyes are fixed on Him alone.

Psalm 118 lists many ways that the Lord is good. These are the promises we can pray and meditate on to foster our thankfulness. We can cry out to the Lord as it says in Psalm 118:5 and He will answer us and set us free! He wants to meet us right where we are and break the chains that are holding us captive.

We are reminded in Psalm 118:7 we are never alone and God will help us. Before we reach our wit’s end, let us pray and ask God for help and thank Him for his constant care. No problem is too small or too big for God!

Psalm 118:8 assures us the Lord is trustworthy, and we can take refuge in Him. We do this by spending time in prayer and reading His Word. We escape the craziness of our lives when we set aside time with our Savior. When we are in His presence, we experience peace because He is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

In Psalm 118:17,  we learn that we need not lose hope when we face trials. Our trials will make us stronger so we can proclaim what the Lord has done. Once we walk through hardship, we can relate to others’ suffering. We can comfort and encourage others with our testimony, sharing how God worked on our behalf.

When we wake up each morning and believe Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, [I will] rejoice and be glad in it,” our outlook improves. Our eyes open to the blessings that surround us.

What happens in our hearts and minds when we give thanks–when we focus on what we have, rather than what we lack?

We take our eyes off our circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus. We are no longer concerned with the worries of this world.

When we give thanks, our countenance lifts, and we are filled with HOPE.

Questions to ponder

  • In what areas do you struggle to be thankful?
  • What are the obstacles for thankfulness in your life? Do you find yourself complaining? Do you compare yourself to others, do you worry or is it something else?

Faith Filled Idea

  • Write Psalm 118:24 on a notecard and put it at your kitchen sink to remind you to give thanks for each new day.
  • Would you like to embrace a lifestyle of gratitude and make thankfulness a discipline? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Did you realize God’s will for you in Christ Jesus is to give thanks in all circumstances? Let’s begin today! Think of three things you are thankful for each day. Write them in your journal before you go to sleep each night and note how it changes your outlook!

Click Here for the Thanksgiving Printable!

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Join the Community! Share your favorite verse about thankfulness.

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Jennifer Valdois
Latest posts by Jennifer Valdois (see all)

4 Comments on “Give Thanks for God’s Love”

  1. Thank you sweet Jennifer! Thank you for sharing this heartfelt reminder to keep focusing on God and staying thankful during this super busy season, I really needed it! I love the printable…beautful and practical!

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