Thousands of people will go through commencement exercises in the next few weeks, leaving high school, college, or even grad school to begin a new stage in life. Many will congratulate themselves on their achievement: “I did it!” Certainly, they did play a major part. Those diplomas and degrees also belong to parents who kept them on track, mentors who encouraged them along the way, spouses who supported them, and yes; even the Lord who is the Source of life. Kevin Durant gets this! Did you see the story about his acceptance speech when he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player? (He won an overwhelming 119 votes out of 125 cast!) Durant did not puff out his chest and point to his many skills. He thanked many, and closed with a moving tribute to his mother who he said was the ‘real MVP!’ (Click here to watch the clip. I dare you not to cry.)
Gratitude is a sign of
humility and maturity. Growing disciples will be thankful. Gratitude will
overflow, spilling out onto all those with whom they interact each day.
They will know that they are not a ‘solo’ act. They will stay connected
to the Vine (John 15), love being in the Body, treasure the network
of the Spirit that contextualizes their gift in a manner that maximizes the
benefit to all.
Who has helped you to reach
this place? Have they heard a word of gratitude from you? Jesus
healed ten men of a dread disease. The Bible says that only the Samaritan, the
one least expected to show gratitude, returned to give thanks! "Now it
happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria
and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who
were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said,
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go,
show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were
cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a
loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him
thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten
cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give
glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way.
Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19, NKJV) Are you the one
who returns to give thanks?
Praise is the protocol that
the Scripture establishes for our entry into the Presence of God. This is
not a suggestion! "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout
aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King
above all gods." (Psalm 95:1-3, NIV) You might not feel
much gratitude today. Perhaps things are difficult. Then, thank Him for
His goodness, for His gifts, for His grace – as you make a sacrifice of praise.
"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my
hands." (Psalm 63:3-4, NIV)
Quiet your heart and mind in
the Presence of God for a few moments – right now. Let humility take
control and begin to think of those who have made a difference for you.
Thank God for them! Then, turn your thoughts to Him. Thank Him for grace,
for the Cross, for the Promise of eternal life, for the Spirit.
Psalm
136:1-4 (NLT)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures
forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures
forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures
forever.
4 Give thanks to him who alone does
mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm
136:23-25 (NLT)
23 He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures
forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures
forever.
25 He gives food to every living
thing.
His faithful love endures
forever.
1 comment:
Pastor Scott, than you - again, and again - for your moving and powerful devotional posts! You press in and share your own joys, triumphs, challenges, and woes. We walk this way together, and we learn godly responses and life-skills from you! I was reading about thankfulness this week, and I happened upon a short article by a rabbi. He was explaining the Hebrew word for thank you, "todah". Todah is a worship word, meaning to extend the hands, but it also mans "admit". When you say thank you, you admit that you needed help! Bless you and your precious wife. Many care about and are praying for you!!
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