Say Thanks

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.

HOW CAN YOU THANK GOD? He is so good, holy, and awesome. He needs nothing, not even our thanks, but he longs to hear us give thanks.

Notice how Hannah gave thanks:

“Hannah prayed: ‘My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me’” (1 Samuel 2:1).

She expresses her delight. “No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (verse 2).

She acknowledges God’s character. “Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions” (verse 3).

She gives a warning. “The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up” (verses 6-7).

She exalts God for his power. “For all the earth is the LORD’s, and he has set the world in order. He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one” (verses 8-10).

Make your own list of why you delight in God and what you have seen him do for you. Observation and remembrance are great forms of thanks.