One of themes that is common in the book of Psalms is thanksgiving. In the life of the Psalmist, and the life of all God’s children, there are times when we might want to give thanks.
Psalm 107 is a rehearsal of some of the events after which thankfulness flows:
4 Some wandered in desert wastes; finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
9 For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in misery and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
14 he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
6 For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron.17 Some were sick through their sinful ways …
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters ….
What are those events in our lives where we can see God sending help? Do we share our thanks with our hearts and lips? Maybe thanksgiving can become a regular event as we look for these times of thanksgivings.
Prayer
Ever-watchful God, you care for us in ways that we don’t always know. Help us to see the evidence of your love in our lives, and to turn our recognition into words of thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.