Daily devotion – Thankful hearts.
Psa 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Last Sunday morning, as the church began to sing, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of thanksgiving for our Lord. The realization of how much God has done for us, is doing for us, and has promised yet to do for us, seemed to permeate not only my heart, but the entire sanctuary.
It was a beautiful and supernatural work of the Holy Spirit moving among the congregation. I truly believe the Lord was directing all our hearts toward thanksgiving, not just mine. Yes, we should always come with thankful hearts, but this particular moment seemed different. Thanksgiving became the central focus of our worship as we praised the Lord together.
I was reminded of the opening words of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Before requests are made, before burdens are spoken, before needs are brought forward, the focus is first placed upon the holiness, majesty, and worthiness of God Himself.
How often we can come into fellowship consumed with thoughts about ourselves — our worries, struggles, plans, distractions, or desires — when our hearts and minds should first be fixed upon the Lord. He is the Holy God who created us, loves us, died for us, forgives us, sustains us, and has secured eternity for us through Jesus Christ.
If we spent the remainder of our lives doing nothing more than sincerely thanking God every time we prayed or sang, it would still never fully express what He deserves.
Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
The psalmist reminds us that thanksgiving is not meant to be an occasional act, but the very attitude with which we approach God continually. Thanksgiving softens the heart, lifts our eyes above ourselves, and keeps our focus upon the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
A thankful Christian is often a joyful Christian, because gratitude continually remembers the grace of God.
This week, let us be mindful to thank God at every opportunity. Thank Him in the quiet moments, thank Him in the difficult moments, thank Him in the ordinary moments, and thank Him together when we gather as His people.
May our hearts continually echo the words:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:1