Week 11 – Why Gratitude Is So Important

Nov 20, 2010 Gary Henry E – Reverence

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In the last lesson, we saw the very serious problem of knowing God but failing to give Him reverence. In a very similar way, gratitude is important. Listen again to Paul: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:20,21). To fail to relate to God with thankfulness is one of the most serious problems we can have.

One mistake we often make is simply taking God’s goodness for granted. Deep down, we realize that the many good things we enjoy come from God, but we simply fail to acknowledge our debt of gratitude to Him. We just assume that certain things will always be there for us to enjoy, and we give little conscious thought to God, the Giver. One of the best things we can do is to work on cultivating a conscious “attitude of gratitude.” As we enjoy the many aspects of God’s goodness, we need to think about God and express our gratitude.

Coupled together, reverence and gratitude impart to us a spirit of humility (1 Corinthians 4:7). We can’t give thanks without being reminded that God is God and we are His creatures. Gratitude restores a right perspective to our thinking about ourselves, reminding us that we are just one part of a much greater creation by God.

The failure to give God thanks is, of course, a universal problem. But it is a special problem when those who claim to be God’s people fail to thank Him. Of all the people in the world, we are those who are the most indebted to God’s goodness, and we are those who have a special responsibility to give God the praise due to Him. As the redeemed people of God, we have the privilege of offering “the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). We have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Who else can be expected to give thanks to God if we, His people, are not grateful to Him?

“Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Psalm 97:12).

Monday: Psalm 69:30

Key Idea: Gratitude is related to the praise and worship of God.

1. In this verse, what two things did David say he would do?
2. Discuss some ways that thanksgiving and praise are similar. How do they overlap? Can we really do one without the other? Would you say that thanksgiving is the main element in the concept of “worship”?
3. In Psalm 26:7, what is our proper response to the “works” of God? See also 75:1.
4. In Psalm 95:1,2, how are we to come before the presence of God? See also 100:4,5.
5. What is the “sacrifice” offered in Psalm 107:21,22 and 116:17? What does Hebrews 13:15 say?
6. Look at passages in the book of Revelation where God is being worshiped, such as 4:9; 7:11,12; and 11:16,17. What do you see that is always a part of the worship being offered?

Tuesday: Psalm 136:1-3

Key Idea: We are to be thankful not only for God’s gifts to us, but for God Himself.

1. For what is gratitude expressed in these verses? Can we be thankful for the attributes of God’s unchanging nature even when He chooses not to give us specific blessings that we may desire?
2. The thought contained in Psalm 136:1-3 is also found in many other Psalms, such as 106:1; 107:1; and 118:1,29. Do you think that of all the things about God that we might be thankful for, His “goodness” and “mercy” have a special importance? How many passages in the New Testament can you find that talk about giving thanks for God’s grace?
3. In Psalm 92:1-4, we’re told that “it is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises” to His name. Can you think of several different ways in which gratitude is “good”?

Wednesday: Psalm119:62

Key Idea: We are to be thankful all the time, not just when we’re happy.

1. What do you think is the significance of giving thanks at “midnight”? Is it harder to be thankful during times of “darkness” than during times of “light”? Why should we not limit our thankfulness to the times when life is going as we desire? What accusation did the devil make about Job in Job 1:8-11? Was it true?
2. Should our gratitude depend on our circumstances?
3. What is amazing about the thanksgiving Daniel offered in Daniel 6:10?
4. What are we taught to do in Philippians 4:6,7,11-13?

Thursday: Psalm 79:13

Key Idea: God’s people have a special duty to thank Him.

1. Who are the “people” spoken of in this verse? Who are God’s “people” today?
   Why do God’s people have a greater responsibility to thank God and acknowledge His goodness than anyone else?
2. Look at Psalm 30:4. Who are the “saints” of God who should give thanks?
   In Psalm 35:18, what is the “congregation” or “great assembly” where thanks are given to God?
3. What prayer is offered in Psalm 106:47? See also 107:1-3. What should the joy of God’s salvation always prompt us to do?
4. In Ephesians 5:4, what single thing is placed in contrast to all the kinds of speech that a Christian ought to avoid?
5. Consider carefully Colossians 3:15. How might gratitude toward God help produce the peace and unity among the Lord’s people this verse speaks of?
6. In the first part of Colossians 3:17, what responsibility do the Lord’s people have? In the last part of the verse, what additional responsibility do we have that is equally important?
   What is said about prayer in Colossians 4:2? According to this verse, what attitude should characterize all of our praying?
7. What is the “gift” spoken of in 2 Corinthians 9:15?

Friday: Psalm 105:1-6

Key Idea: Our gratitude to God is to be expressed to those who are not God’s people.

1. In v.1, among whom is the goodness of God’s deeds to be made known?
2. In Psalm 18:49, who are the “Gentiles”? What would be the application of this verse to us today?
3. Should we be afraid to give thanks to God in public or to let our gratitude to God be known to those around us? What are some good things that could come from openly confessing our gratitude to God?
4. What did Jesus Himself often do? Look at John 6:10,11; 11:41-43; etc.
5. What did Jesus say in Matthew 10:32,33 about those who “confess” Him?

Putting It All Together

Just as reverence is of basic importance, so is gratitude. These two qualities should define our fundamental attitude toward God. We should give thanks, first and foremost, because it is right to do so. Gratitude is simply the proper attitude of the creature toward the Creator. In creating us and sustaining us each day, God has been good to us beyond our ability to imagine. More than all these blessings, however, the spiritual blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ are those that we should be the most thankful for. It is in saving us that God showed His greatest goodness.

Gary Henry – WordPoints.com