8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
Wednesday mornings have been amazing for me. A small group of men have been reading one Psalm a week for the last 5 years. This morning it was Psalm 107 that was read out loud. After we hear it once or twice, we sit in silence and just let a word or phrase speak to us. This morning it was “let them give thanks” that got my attention. The thoughts that came were two-fold: first idea was that it is an appropriate thing to give thanks where credit is due. God is actively working. God is unfailing in his love. So give thanks to him. He deserves it. But the second idea is getting my mind and spirit stirred – let them give thanks because giving thanks will actually change us from people who are thirsty to people who are satisfied and from people who are hungry to people who are filled. Giving thanks is good for us. Taking time to speak about what we are thankful for brings a healthy perspective. It is reminding me right now of what we do have, rather than focusing on what
we are yet to receive.
When you read the whole Psalm you get the feeling that a lot of misery could have been avoided if people would have been living a lifestyle of thanking God. Let them give thanks seems to be wise counsel from one who has been there before and knows the way to go. So as I head into my day I am bent on giving thanks.
Steve
This is such a great message for this season of frenzied shopping and family reunions. To be giving thanks for what we have been given both physically and through Jesus is more filling than all our Christmas dinners. Thanks for the reminder.