David wrote: “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving...”~ Psa. 95:2
Paul penned: “…abounding therein with thanksgiving.”~ Col.2:7
If you were to ask me one the secrets of God’s perennial blessings upon the lives of David and Paul, my answer would be a simple, “Thankfulness.” It would be among my top three reasons. They lived hundreds of years apart, had completely different temperaments as well as ministries, but O how appreciative to God they both were. Who could read the book of Psalms or Paul’s epistles, and not be aware of this? You can be sure both always came before the Lord’s presence with thanksgiving.
I think David said it best, “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good.” It is recorded of Israel, after God had blessed them abundantly, “They soon forgat…” I’m afraid many of us are like God’s people of old, we have short memories.
No matter what your situation may be, as my dear old mother used to say, “There is always something to be thankful for.” I encourage you to list the many things you can be thankful for. They will dwarf whatever circumstance you may be experiencing at the present.
“For mercies countless as the sands,
Which daily I receive
From Jesus, my Redeemer’s hands,
My soul, what canst thou give?
Alas! from such a heart as mine
What can I bring Him forth?
My best is stained and dyed with sin,
My all is nothing worth.
Yet this acknowledgment I’ll make,
For all He has bestowed:
Salvation’s sacred cup I’ll take,
And call upon my God.”
(John Newton , 1725-1807)