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Be Thankful

I am so thankful to my Master Jesus, the Messiah. I want to shout. I sing about His greatness. I have gratitude in my heart for the amazing things He does.

Thankfulness is a prominent Bible theme. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus.”

Did you catch that? Give thanks in all circumstances. Thankfulness should be a way of life for us, naturally flowing from our hearts and mouths.

Digging into the Scriptures a little more deeply, we understand why we should be thankful and also how to have gratitude in different circumstances.

Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Master, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Here we have two reasons to be thankful:

  1. God’s constant goodness
  2. His steadfast love

When we recognize the nature of our depravity and understand that, apart from God, there is only death, our natural response is to be grateful for the life He gives.

  • Colossians 3:15–17 (CSB) — 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of the Messiah dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Master Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:15 (CSB) — 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
  • Luke 2:25–32 (CSB) — 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Master’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.
  • Luke 2:36–38 (CSB) — 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
  • Colossians 2:6 (CSB) — 6 So then, just as you have received the Messiah Jesus as Master, continue to live in him,