How do we show appreciation to someone? Some may send thank you notes and cards to let that person know that they are thinking of them and caring about them. Some may send thoughtful gifts because they may know that person is in need. Still, others may even come over and spend some time with them to listen and help encourage. There are many ways we can show appreciation, but often times we forget or we don’t know how to truly show that person how we feel. Not only do we forget to show each other appreciation, but sometimes we forget to show and tell Yahweh our appreciation for Him and thanking Him for what He has done and is doing in our life.
There is a reason why we need to stay in the Word, so that our minds are refreshed. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves exactly how far Yahweh has brought us on our journey, not to focus on the negative, but to rejoice and praise Him for saving us and bringing us to the place we are today. Without Him, we would still be in our old lifestyles, pleasing the flesh, instead of seeking Him and being filled with His Holy Spirit. Sometimes I fall short and I do not take the time to thank Him for all He has done and is still doing for me. Sometimes I get caught up in life circumstances, I get busy and distracted, and then a day comes along where I feel worn out and in tears, at times feeling like a failure because I didn’t last long enough. However, Yahweh is faithful and does not leave us, even when He allows us to go our own way for a little while.
I realize I cannot do anything without Yahweh beside me and leading me. I always come up way too short and I am way too weak to try and be strong and do it myself. I am very thankful that He is patient with me and with everyone, He wants everyone to come to Him to find the rest that they need. He also wants us to trust Him, knowing that He will provide for us what we need, we don’t have to try and solve everything or try to be perfect. Our peace and rest is found in knowing that He has everything under control.
Sometimes it is nice to write down a list of how much we appreciate Yahweh, even if it’s only for our eyes to see. Writing it down isn’t needful, but it may be nice to keep track of and to see the progress over time. To see where He answered prayer and how He is still answering prayer. Like I said, writing it down and keeping a journal is not needful, but staying in prayer and communicating with Yahweh by staying in the Word and learning more about Him is very needful if we want His light to shine within us so we can share His light with others in this dark world.
David's Song of Thanks
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance.”
19 When you were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
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 holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also:
“Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!”
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
There is a reason why we need to stay in the Word, so that our minds are refreshed. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves exactly how far Yahweh has brought us on our journey, not to focus on the negative, but to rejoice and praise Him for saving us and bringing us to the place we are today. Without Him, we would still be in our old lifestyles, pleasing the flesh, instead of seeking Him and being filled with His Holy Spirit. Sometimes I fall short and I do not take the time to thank Him for all He has done and is still doing for me. Sometimes I get caught up in life circumstances, I get busy and distracted, and then a day comes along where I feel worn out and in tears, at times feeling like a failure because I didn’t last long enough. However, Yahweh is faithful and does not leave us, even when He allows us to go our own way for a little while.
I realize I cannot do anything without Yahweh beside me and leading me. I always come up way too short and I am way too weak to try and be strong and do it myself. I am very thankful that He is patient with me and with everyone, He wants everyone to come to Him to find the rest that they need. He also wants us to trust Him, knowing that He will provide for us what we need, we don’t have to try and solve everything or try to be perfect. Our peace and rest is found in knowing that He has everything under control.
Sometimes it is nice to write down a list of how much we appreciate Yahweh, even if it’s only for our eyes to see. Writing it down isn’t needful, but it may be nice to keep track of and to see the progress over time. To see where He answered prayer and how He is still answering prayer. Like I said, writing it down and keeping a journal is not needful, but staying in prayer and communicating with Yahweh by staying in the Word and learning more about Him is very needful if we want His light to shine within us so we can share His light with others in this dark world.
David's Song of Thanks
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the Lord our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
as your portion for an inheritance.”
19 When you were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
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 holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also:
“Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting!”
1 Chronicles 16:8-36
