For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. Psalm 18:49 NRSV
We should be thankful. But we are not meant to keep our thanks to ourselves.
Of course, there is always the danger that our thanks may seem to others like bragging. However, if we are truly thankful and we are speaking so that God can overhear us (for who among us believes that God wants us to make others feel less important than ourselves?) then our thanks should be made in public. Poems, songs, words and expressions of thanks are all good when we are conveying to good in front of others how thankful we are. In fact, the best forms of thanksgiving are those we find in worship!
For the Hebrew people, gifts of thanksgiving were to be left on God's altar on a regular basis as part of offerings of well-being. In fact, they were also be to consumed on the same day (see Leviticus 7: 12-17). Songs, such as this psalm, were to be lifted up in voice and in music by the leaders as well as the people. The best example of that is Miriam's song after the people of God cross the Red Sea and Pharaoh is finally defeated (Exodus 15:20-21).
So, be thankful but don't keep it to yourself!
God, help me to find the best way to thank you in public this week. Because I am truly thankful. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Name one thing you are thankful for in this moment.
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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