Thank You, Lord

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song. (Psalm 95:1-2)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6)

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)

FOR ALL THAT YOU’VE DONE

Many times over throughout the Scriptures, God’s people are called to give thanks. But the ability to give thanks is predicated upon having and/or remembering things that you can give thanks for. Which is why, many times over throughout the Scriptures, God’s people are called to remember.

But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works (Psalm 77:11-12)

Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all of his benefits. (Psalm 103:1)

Those who have been born again into a living hope have received “all of His benefits.”

He forgives all our iniquities. He heals all of our diseases. He redeemed our life from the pit. He crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. He satisfies us with good so that our strength is renewed. He has worked righteousness for us in our oppression. He made known His mighty acts to His people. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. He has shown compassion to us like a Father to His children. He knows our limitedness and isn’t annoyed by our struggles. His steadfast love is from everlasting to everlasting, and because of Christ we are counted as those who keep His covenant.

This song calls us to remember the goodness of God in our life up to this point. And yet it does more. It encourages us, armed with these memories of God’s goodness and glory in our lives, to hope for the future.

FOR ALL THAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:3)

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Our hope is so sure, our future so secured, that we can thank God for things that haven’t happened yet. This isn’t some “name it and claim it” idea, but rather, with the promises of God in our hearts and before us in His word, we step forward into a tomorrow where the details are uncertain but the outcome guaranteed. We know that because we love God, He will work all things together for our good.

Because Jesus loves us. Because Jesus has set us free. Because He gave His life for us, we sing. And we keep on singing come what may. Remember what He has done. And let it fuel your hope for all that He is going to do. And as you go, rejoice in the Lord. And again I say, rejoice!