Giving thanks

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! Your enemies cringe before your mighty power. Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs.” Psalm 66: 1-4 NLT

I was at a Christian women's lunch yesterday and we were all asked to lift up what we were thankful for to God. Yet, the first person who opened their mouth had a prayer request. Why are we so quick to lift up others in prayer yet so slow in giving thanks?

This psalm is all about giving God praise, glory and thanks. It is a litany of what great things God has done as well as what God is more than capable of doing: “your enemies cringe,” “everything on earth will worship you.” It is a word of hope and future glory. Not everything has happened yet but the prayer is that God is going to do these things and how glorious it will be!

For what in your life can you give thanks today? What great things can you imagine God doing in the world around you – even if those seem realistically impossible? Let's give God thanks and praise!

God, we shout our joyful praises to you! We sing of the glory of your name. We tell the world how glorious you are. How awesome are your deeds! You have defeated death and conquered sin. You will do great and mighty things now and in the future. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims