In our story, Abram was obedient to God’s calling to leave his family and move to Canaan. As Abram follows the Lord’s calling in his life, he was also very thankful to God. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord.[1] Genesis 12:7-9.
There is something that happens in our heart when we take time to give thanks to the Lord. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see consistent counsel to give thanks to God.
In 1 Chronicles 16:34, we read David’s calling for gratitude in light of God’s character. 34 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. [2]
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul defines gratitude as the will of God for all of us. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. [3]
Paul calls us to thanksgiving in everything we do in Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.[4]
For me though, one of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the scientific research around gratitude. What God has always called His created being to do, science now confirms has a positive effect on the brain. What can you be thankful for the Lord for?
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[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.