WHY THANKING GOD?

Dearly Beloved, WHY THANKING GOD? “Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP). The Yorubas and many other tribes in Africa are fond of saying “Thank God” whenever they are been appreciated for anything they do. I am greatly influenced by this practice and it reflects in my chat with people regardless of who they are. Some people who are not Africans have questioned me more than once why I or they need to thank God for a mere conversation. However, the Holy Bible enjoins us to give thanks to God in everything (see Psalm 34:1; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:15). In fact, most part of the book of Psalms (which is the largest book in the Bible) is full of thanksgiving and praises of God. Have you ever thought why you should thank God? One of the most popular psalms, Psalm 100, gives some reasons why one should thank God. One, He is the LORD God (verse 3a). Two, He is the One that created everything and everybody, and everything and everybody belong to Him (verse 3b). Three, He is good to His creation and His love for them endures from generation to generation (verse 5). Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 said that thanking God is the will of God for us. Interestingly, as Job demonstrated, thanking God should not be only when things are pleasant. Even, in one’s adversity, one should learn how to thank God. Thanking God in such situation means that one knows that God is above the situation and that our relationship with Him should not be conditional. A careful study of the psalms in the Bible will reveal that in spite of the fact that they are full of thanksgiving and praises of God, most of them were composed in distress. Is thanking God your habit? In this Thanksgiving season, do you have reasons to thank God? Thanking God should never be conditional or out of season. As for me, I have countless reasons to thank God and I will always thank Him. God, I thank You! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray for a thankful heart that will be thanking God in all situations.