psalms – Be Still…

Thanksgiving 2025 – Giving Thanks

What are you thankful for? Thank God right now for the top three things that came to your mind.

Perhaps you live in the United States, and you’re off work today because you’re celebrating Thanksgiving. Perhaps you’re surrounded by family and friends. Perhaps you’re looking forward to new beginnings. Perhaps you’re remembering what Jesus did for you on the cross.

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know we have been reading through the New Testament, starting in the book of Mark. We’re taking a break today to focus on gratitude and giving thanks. We’ll pick up Mark soon.

Let’s start by reflecting on Psalm 100:4-5, which says:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

When we come before God, we should gladly bring our praises and offerings of thanksgiving. Look around at the bounty God has given. The LORD loves it when we give him the honor and glory he deserves.

Did you know that when you are busy focusing on your gratefulness, your sadness, loneliness, or despair just floats away. The two emotions can’t co-exist. I think God knew that, and so did the psalmist when he encourages us to remember God’s goodness and unfailing love that lasts forever.

I’d like to share a few more Bible verses that speak to our thankfulness using the acronym THANKS. I am thankful for all of these things, especially God’s Word.

T – for Truth, for God’s Word, alive and life-changing, the sword that protects us is part of the armor of God. Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17

H – for Heroes of faith, like Moses and Daniel and Paul, together with those gathering in the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12:1.

A – for Angels that protect us and bear messages from God. Hebrews 2:1-4 speaks of the message the angels brought to us to heed.

N – for being No longer slaves to our sins. We have a Redeemer who has taken away our sin. 1 John 1:9 reminds us to confess those sins and not keep them inside.

K – for Kindness and the ability to be kind. When we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives, kindness is one of the great benefits we can be given. Galatians 5:22-23

S – for Songs that praise the name of God. The book of Psalms is a great place to find lyrics you’ll recognize in many contemporary praise songs, as well as hymns we sing. Our opening Psalm 100 above speaks to that privilege we have to show God our gratitude.

My Thanksgiving prayer includes you as you read these verses, allowing the gratitude to sweep over you. May you feel God’s loving touch on your life in exactly the right place, where you need it most. He knows–I don’t have to.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, and if you’re reading this from outside the USA or on a day other than the 4th Thursday of November, then remembering to be thankful is an exercise we should do daily. God deserves our giving thanks in every prayer.

Let’s pray. Father God, my heart overflows with gratitude as I look at my life and what you have done with it, and are continuing to do with it. Help me get out of my own way when I need to, and show me what that looks like. I want to represent you well in this world in all I say and do. Thank you for walking with me through each new challenge, helping me to lean in to your help more often. Thank you for being my all in all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 77 – Seek the LORD

Read Psalm 77

If you’re a fan, like me, of “The Chosen” television series about the life of Jesus and his followers, then you may remember this psalm from the last episode of Season 3. The depiction of Asaph presenting this psalm to King David was masterfully woven into the episode. I wanted to share some of my reflections on this psalm with you, as well as a few “spoilers” to connections seen in that final episode of the season.

Having just read the Book of Job together here on the blog makes this psalm even more powerful, doesn’t it? The psalmist is crying out to God from his despair much like I imagine Job did. As you read this psalm, imagine there is an acapella choir chanting eerily in the distance. At each “interlude” there is a break in the words for those voices to swell in lament and reverence to God. Continue reading “Psalm 77 – Seek the LORD”

1 Chronicles 10:1-14 – Unfaithful Saul

Read 1 Chronicles 10:1-14

The story of Israel’s kings begins with Saul. You’ll recall the genealogies ended with reference to Saul’s family. But right before that the Chronicler had been speaking about those returning from Exile. To get our “bearings,” so to speak, this reading goes back many generations from the time of those returning from exile.

There’s a lot more to Saul’s story that can be read in 1 Samuel. The Chronicler glosses over Saul’s life, but in terms of lineage, we’ve been told Saul was descended from the tribe of Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son.

In this passage, we see Saul under attack by the Philistines. This rivalry had been ongoing but now turns deadly for Israel’s leadership. The Israel people find themselves without a king or an heir to the throne. How did God let this happen?

Nehemiah 12:1-26 – Worship

Read Nehemiah 12:1-26

Up to now, we have been seeing how Nehemiah is shaping up the returnees, so they don’t fall out of God’s good graces again. Here are more lists supporting the people in charge of renewing the people and keeping them properly focused.

Let’s focus on verse 24. It says, “These were the family leaders of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, and other associates, who stood opposite them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as commanded by David, the man of God.” It appears Nehemiah is prescribing a worship format, fashioned after King David’s command.

Psalm 136 – Give Thanks

Read Psalm 136

This is one of my favorite psalms to read responsively. His faithful love endures forever. What a promise! Forever is a long time, and knowing we are loved by God forever is an incredible honor and blessing. If you are struggling today, use it as a comfort! You are loved.

This psalm elicits joy for the reader. Anytime we are reminded of the mighty God we serve. He is a God active among his people.

Verse 23 stands out to me today. “He remembered us in our weakness.” When we are weak, our God is still strong. He is still in control. We can call on him and rely on his strength.

But what else stands out to me is we need to GIVE THANKS! We need to have a grateful heart that overflows with gratitude to God. Many times we look at our own accomplishments and fail to give thanks to the creator who blessed us for that task.

The psalmist remembers what God has done for his people to help him feel the gratitude. We can do that, too. Think of all the times you have felt rescue from God. Maybe it was an escape out of a dangerous situation, or the ability to overcome a temptation, or clarity when you were making a decision. God is active and working in our lives, behind the scenes, and we need to call him out and give him thanks!

Let’s pray. Father it’s sometimes hard to feel like giving thanks even though I know you more than deserve my gratitude. For loving me without end is in and of itself means for celebration and thanksgiving. Cleanse my heart today of this heaviness and release me from these chains. Restore my joy so that I can be my best for you. May your glory radiate from me again. I trust you. I give you thanks! In Jesus’ name. Amen.