Psalms 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

Not knowing Hebrew, I don’t know the original term used in the recurring refrain of this Psalm, but different translations render it as love, (NIV) mercy, (KJV) and grace. (Japanese) That would indicate it’s a pretty desirable thing! This whole Psalm is focused on giving God thanks, both for who He is and what He has done. The repetitive refrain was probably spoken or sung either by a choir or by all the assembled worshipers. That can be a powerful experience, and brings out the benefits of group worship as distinct from private devotions. It has been pointed out that thanks needs to progress to praise in order to lead to full worship, which is true enough, but gratitude is at the foundation. It is only as we appreciate how incredibly gracious God has been to us that we relate to Him rightly. It is no accident that when Paul was listing characteristics of godlessness, ungrateful made the list. (2 Timothy 3:2-5) Genuine gratitude will produce action. Those who only want God to give them more good things don’t appreciate the things He’s already given them. I am reminded of the famous line from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” When we are grateful for all that God has already done for us, we will not only enjoy it a lot more, we will be seeking ways to serve God in response. It’s not that we could possibly earn God’s favor by our works, but that even a rudimentary understanding of how much He has already done for us will produce obedient devotion. As Jesus said so clearly, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)

Even in writing this I realize I have room to grow in gratitude, love, and obedience toward my Lord. As a pastor I regularly preach to others, but if I fail to live out the truth I speak, I am a total sham. It’s not that the words are any less true, it’s that I don’t get the benefit of them. In this new year I desire that this church grow in thanks, praise, and worship to God, but for that to happen, I need to grow too. It has come out that I tend to make what are felt to be high-level demands of the believers. That response indicates I haven’t been laying the foundations sufficiently, and the first foundation is gratitude. I need to help the believers understand how good God has already been to them, so that they will naturally want to spend more time with Him, and the idea of daily devotions will become a delight rather than a burden. When that happens, they will develop the intimate, personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that I desire for them because God desires it for them. Small or shallow faith will no longer be an issue! As always, I don’t have the wisdom to accomplish that on my own, but since God desires it, I can count on Him to use me in bringing it to pass, if I will be yielded and obedient.

Father, thank You for all that You are doing in me these days. Quite a few years ago a brother from Malaysia told me prophetically that for the church to change, I had to change. At the time, I had no idea how I needed to change, but you are taking care of it. Thank You. Help me indeed grow into the vessel You desire so that the treasure within may be fully effective, (2 Corinthians 4:7) for the salvation and blessing of many, and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!