Reason to Give Thanks
Psalm138:1-16
Christians give thanks to God, and they do not need any special reason or occasion to do this. The author of Psalm 138 gives thanks because God is good. Christians should give thanks because God is who God is.
Psalm 136:1 ESV
[1] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
God himself is the reason for our gratitude. God does great things and created all things.
Psalm 136:4-9 ESV
[4] to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; [5] to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; [6] to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; [7] to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; [8] the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; [9] the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
Meeting friends, going to work, waking up, just breathing are all miracles. The everyday acts which seem so common to us are gifts. There is no guarantee that we will wake up or be able to go to work. They are gifts that we should be grateful for.
Life has sadness, pain, and loss. It is natural for our lives will have pain. We will face obstacles, and these hardships may dwarf everything else.
Romans 8:28 ESV
[28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
We need to walk the narrow path. The end at the path will get worth and pains or sorrows we may face on the path. We are thankful for being on the path.
His love endures forever! We see this in verses 10 to 16.
Psalm 136:10-16 ESV
[10] to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures forever; [11] and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever;
[12] with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; [13] to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;
[14] and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; [15] but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever;
[16] to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever.
The Israelites only gave thanks to God after miracles and soon after these miracles, they forgot about God.
Whether our journey is crafted with trials or triumphs we can praise God for all we experience. The narrow path leads to God's glory.
