“You turned my mourning into dancing…O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalm 30: 11-12 NKJV
They sat in their tents complaining, grumbling, feeling hopeless. You would assume that these were people who knew nothing about God. That assumption would be understandable; it would also be wrong.
These grumbling people hiding in their tents had seen the Lord open the Red Sea and had walked across on dry land. Afterwards, their hearts had overflowed with praise and thanksgiving. They trusted this amazing God wholeheartedly. Surely, this deep heartfelt thankfulness would last forever. But, in time, thankfulness began to fade. A problem arose. They panicked. They doubted God’s goodness. Their thankful hearts turned into grumbling hearts.
How could anyone who had seen the Red Sea open up ever doubt God’s goodness and His power? How could they ever grumble? How could they ever stop giving thanks? It is hard to understand. Yet, I do understand. I am like the Israelites. In my life, God has answered many prayers. He has brought me through difficult circumstances. I have thanked Him profusely. Like the psalmist in Psalm 30, I was certain that I would thank Him forever. But time passed. My thankfulness grew dim. A new trial arrived, and my thankful heart turned into a heart of unbelief and grumbling.
When life is good, thankfulness comes easily. When a prayer has been answered, we readily praise and thank our God. But life also includes difficult times. God is worthy of our thanks in all circumstances. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
How do we cultivate a thankful heart in all seasons of life? As the holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, let’s turn our attention to thankfulness. Let’s begin by asking God to give us a thankful heart. Then, let’s challenge ourselves to thank God each day during the month of November. The challenge that I am making to myself and to my readers is to keep a Gratitude List during the month of November. Find a notebook. Write the words “Lord, I thank You for….” Write down one thing. Add to the list every day. On some days you may write 2 or 3 or even more items of gratitude. On some days it may be only one. But commit to adding at least one item to the list each day.
As we sit down to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, may we do so with hearts overflowing with thankfulness to our God.
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