Week Nine - Day One: Give Thanks

Let’s spend a week giving thanks. Look at 1 Chronicles 16:1-36. At two spots, I will add in notes taken from the “Life Recovery Bible”.

(1) They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. (2) After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. (3) Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

(4) He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to extol, thank, and praise the LORD, the God of Israel: (5) Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, (6) and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

(7) That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner:

(8) Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
      make known among the nations what he has done.

(9) Sing to him, sing praise to him;
      tell of all his wonderful acts.

(10 Glory in his holy name;
      let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

(11 Look to the LORD and his strength;
      seek his face always.

(12) Remember the wonders he has done,
      his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

(13) you his servants, the descendants of Israel,
      his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

(14) He is the LORD our God;
      his judgments are in all the earth.

Concerning verses 8-13, the Life Recovery Bible says: “In times of victory or defeat, recovery or relapse, God remains the same. Our response to him in all circumstances should include thanksgiving and praise. There is never an inappropriate time to seek God; indeed, verse 11 enjoins us to continually seek His strength. This imperative must be observed by each of us.”

(15) He remembers his covenant forever,
      the promise he made, for a thousand generations,

(16) the covenant he made with Abraham,
      the oath he swore to Isaac.

(17) He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
      to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

(18) “To you I will give the land of Canaan
      as the portion you will inherit.”

(19) When they were but few in number,
      few indeed, and strangers in it,

(20) they wandered from nation to nation,
      from one kingdom to another.

(21) He allowed no one to oppress them;
      for their sake he rebuked kings:

(22) “Do not touch my anointed ones;
      do my prophets no harm.”

Concerning verses 14-22: “Sometimes we are tempted to think that God has somehow lost control of things. We are not the only ones who have felt this way. At times during Israel’s history God seemed far away; God’s plan for His people must have seemed obscure and distant. But as time passed it became clear that God had been with Israel the whole time – even as they wandered in the wilderness. God used the difficult times to work out His plan. Sometimes crises and emergencies occur that seem beyond God’s sovereign control. We can be sure that even in such times God is there and in control! We must learn to rest in our knowledge of God’s goodness and love.”

(23) Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
      proclaim his salvation day after day.

(24) Declare his glory among the nations,
      his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

(25) For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
      he is to be feared above all gods.

(26) For all the gods of the nations are idols,
      but the LORD made the heavens.

(27) Splendor and majesty are before him;
      strength and joy are in his dwelling place.

(28) Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations,
      ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

(29) Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
      bring an offering and come before him.
      Worship the LORD in the splendor of his[e] holiness.

(30) Tremble before him, all the earth!
      The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

(31) Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
      let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

(32) Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
      let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

(33) Let the trees of the forest sing,
      let them sing for joy before the LORD,
      for he comes to judge the earth.

(34) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
      his love endures forever.

(35) Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior;
      gather us and deliver us from the nations,
      that we may give thanks to your holy name,
      and glory in your praise.”

(36) Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
      from everlasting to everlasting.
      Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

Before You Start Your Day

1. Spend some time right now thanking God for your blessings. Also thank Him for your trials.
2. Thank God for the meaningful things that you have to do today and give all those things over to Him.