1 Chronicles 16:8-10, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice."
1 Chronicles 16:34, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
Many of us think the word "gratitude" is synonymous with "thanksgiving." Though similar, there's actually a big distinction. Gratitude is a feeling, whereas thanksgiving is an action. When someone does something nice for us, we feel grateful. But if we never express our gratitude, that person will never know how we feel. Therefore, our offering of outward thanksgiving is the action that reveals our inward reaction, our gratitude for what that person has done.
The person who lives a grateful life counts his or her blessings privately. The person who lives a life of thanksgiving vocalizes that gratitude and thus honors the giver of those blessings. Expressions of thanksgiving glorify the giver.
The Bible tells us to glorify God by giving Him thanks. We are to openly call on His name and orally declare all that He has done for us. We are infinitely in debt to God for His grace that has been showered upon us freely, though undeserved. Today, feel that gratitude within, but then glorify the Giver, God, with verbal expressions of thanksgiving.
Today is Thanksgiving. What are ten things you can thank God for right now? Your words have power, so thank Him out loud!
Dear God, There's no way I can adequately express the gratitude I feel in my heart for all You have done in my life. I simply say, "Thank You, Lord, for Your constant love." You are good, and Your love endures forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.