Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Give Thanks and Sing Praises

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation, the God who executes vengeance for me, and brings down peoples under me, who also brings me out from my enemies; You even lift me above those who rise up against me; You rescue me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name. He is a tower of deliverance to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever. 2 Samuel 22:47-51

David is giving thanks to God… and David spoke the words of this song to the LORD in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 22:1. This appears to be the first time (in the NASB) that the word “thanks” is used. Of course we’ve read how Noah built an altar to God and offered a sacrifice after he, his family and all the animals left the ark. Scripture doesn’t tell us, we just assume that Noah was thankful to be off that rocking ark and on dry ground again. In the passage above, David is grateful that God has protected and rescued him from his enemies—especially Saul. This passage of scripture is repeated in Psalm 118 and is a contemporary song, Blessed Be the Rock. The Lord does live—not just in David’s time, but now, too. He is worthy of our praise and our thanks. Just think about what He has done for you—and be thankful. If you think He hasn’t done much for you, stop and look around and think again. And give thanks.

Training Tip – “Thank you” or “Thanks” seems to be an easy word to teach to toddlers—they grasp that idea. Transferring that “thankfulness” to God may be a more difficult concept. Once again it can be taught by a modeled behavior—as children see you being thankful, they will be thankful to God, too. Talk with them about the beauty of our world—sky, trees, plants, flowers, animals—and how all those are created by God—so we should give Him thanks. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for saving us from our enemies—even if our enemy is our own attitudes. You are a strong tower and we run to You for protection and security. Thank you for always being there for us—and for the promise that You will never leave us or forsake us.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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