“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” Psalm 50:23; “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor. 9:15; “Give thanks in (not “for”) all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”1 Thess. 5:18
Heavenly Father, if we “only” have the Gospel as a reason to be thankful, it’s enough to prime our “gratitude-pump,” and keep it running at 100% for eternity.
Your “indescribable gift” to us includes total forgiveness and Jesus’ righteousness, your unwavering love and sovereign rule, peace now and heaven later. And that’s just in the shallow end of the Gospel-pool.
Also, a BIG thank-you for steadfastly working in all things all the time for our good (Rom. 8:28). This includes…
The things that thrill us and stuff that dismays us.
In the loss of old friends and the bounty of new mercies.
In old wounds that still hurt us and past failures that haunt us.
In “unanswered” intercession and those unexpected transitions.
In pandemics that humble us and world crises that exasperate us.
In family issues that “drive us crazy” and little joys that make us worship.
Thank you for being our faithful Father. Thank you for being good all the time—when we see it, doubt it, ignore it, and long for it. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and trustworthy name.