The Job Of Thanksgiving

Heman and Jeduthun . . . were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD.

1 Chronicles 16:41

Perhaps you’ve never heard of these two men; they’re among the Bible’s more obscure characters. Yet their role was paramount. In the great worship choirs of King David, they were appointed to give thanks. Jeduthun and Heman “were under the authority of the king,” says 1 Chronicles 25:6. And they were designated by name to give thanks. It was their job!

Giving thanks is our job too. We’re under the authority of a King who commands: “Be thankful” . . . “Offer to God thanksgiving” . . . “Come before His presence with thanksgiving” . . . “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving” . . . “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (Colossians 3:15; Psalm 50:14; 95:2; 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18, respectively).

This is one of God’s commands for healthy living. The Creator of the soul is the Master Psychologist. He knows that thanksgiving is not only appropriate but therapeutic. It’s hard to be both thankful and, at the same time, grumpy, cantankerous, critical, or ill-tempered.

Be a Heman. Be a Jeduthun. We are appointed by the King to praise His name and to thank Him every day.