Centuries ago, William Law wrote:
“Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world?
“It is not he prays most or fasts most, it is not he who lives most, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”
In 1 Chronicles 16 David sings a hymn of thanksgiving. As I read these words, I think of the Andre Crouch song, My Tribute, which begins:
How can I say thanks for the things you’ve done for me?
This Song of David in 1 Chronicles 16 suggests some ways we can say “thank you” for God’s goodness — things that we, in the midst of keeping busy in the work of ministry, sometimes forget to do.
• Give him praise today. (v. 9) “Remind” him (and yourself) of all the wonderful things he’s done in your life.
• Make him part of your conversation today. (v. 24) The most compelling Christian I have ever known was a man who talked continuously about God — not about himself, not about his church, not about your sins and mine — but about the goodness of God. It was irresistible. No wonder his spiritual life was so dynamic, and no wonder he made such a difference in the lives of others.
• Give something back today. (v. 29) Though the idea of burnt offerings is obsolete, the idea of presenting an offering to God will never go out of date. Whatever we give back to him — our money, our time, our hearts, our lives — may seem so small, but they are pleasing to him.
What kind of offering can you give to him today? A good place to start: look for someone to serve.
These small steps begin to answer the question we would do well to ask each and every day: How can I say thanks?
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8)
Today’s post was updated from a previous post.
