“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.”
–Psalm 107:1
Why do we have to be instructed to “give thanks” for blessings received?
Having raised three children, I KNOW having and showing appreciation to another is NOT an attribute we are born with!
And to this day I have it and do it FAR too little!
Why? I am wondering this morning.
As I reflect on this question, I am reminded of a family story from the childrearing years in our home.
A little background… We home schooled each of our 3 children, up through the 8th grade. (okay, okay, my wife Rachel home schooled our kids)
Rachel sacrificially invested YEARS into each one of them as she diligently sought to lay a strong academic foundation in their lives which they could successfully build on!
As the story goes, one day shortly after our oldest learned to read, a family friend asked Josiah who taught him to read.
His answer?
“I did it!”
WHAT?! He taught himself?! Is he serious?
Actually, he was!
Need I say we’ve never let him forget that story! LOL!
This morning, I pray I never forget that story either… and the implications it has for my life AND for my heart and its gratitude level!
That response was funny and cute coming from a young kid who doesn’t know any better!
It is neither coming from me… yet come from me it does!
And in both of us it produces a lack of appreciation… A lack of thankfulness and therefore failure in the giving of thanks!
Why would I give thanks to someone for something I did myself?
Are we serious?!
Do I really think I have done it all myself?
Embarrassingly I must admit, too often, I do!
The parts of my life story I SHOULD take credit for, but often don’t, is the mess ups!
And so Psalm 107 is reminding Israel what is TRUE! And it calls them to therefore give thanks where thanks is due!
THEY messed up!
GOD cleaned up!
THEY enslaved themselves!
God freed them!
Etc. Etc. Etc.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.”