When you take inventory of what is going on or what is happening in your life, discouragement, disappointment, even depression may set in and it becomes hard to show forth praise and thanksgiving; hard to rejoice or to be glad. But when you turn your focus from what is going on to Who has been sustaining you through it all and in it all, you may find that a shifting takes place inside of you, and all that you can say is “I’m just so thankful.”
When you consider God Almighty himself, all you will want to do is thank Him. There becomes an overwhelming urge inside of you and you just want to express your thanks, your gratitude unto Him, especially in consideration of who we are compared to who God is.
The Psalmist says, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4, KJV). When pondering these verses, you find yourself saying “For who are we, God, in your sight? Yet You look upon us, and consider us - who are mere mortals, one who You can consume at any moment - and You, God, see us through the windows of Your loving-kindness (loyal love) and You deal with us, handle us out of the storehouse of Your tender mercies (compassions).” When this becomes the focus of your thoughts despite what is going on or what is happening, then your spirit bubbles over with thanks and all that you want to say is “I’m just so thankful.”.
Considering…
this past year in its’ totality…Just Thankful
what occurred in your life during this past year…Just Thankful
what has taken place during this year, month, week, and day…Just Thankful
all that you have endured…Just Thankful
all that God has spared you from…Just Thankful
that it could have been another way…Just Thankful
and that you do not have to be here…Just Thankful
but in spite of it all, you can say, “I am still here”…Just Thankful
that when you look through the windows of the lives of others and know that “but by the grace of God, there go I”…Just Thankful.
However, our expression of thankfulness is fueled not only by the consideration of our state and status but should be founded in consideration of the sovereignty of God. Psalm 136 conveys that just to think on the very nature of God, to ponder the very works of His hands, to recall the mighty acts of God, to remember the moving of God, just to consider His goodness and His mercy toward you should prompt the expression of thankfulness to God.
Considering the divine nature of God…Just Thankful
Psalm 136
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: For his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: For his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: For his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: For his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: For his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: For his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: For his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering what you can now see that God has delivered you through that you could not see while you were going through…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: For his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: For his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: For his mercy endureth for ever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: For his mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: For his mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering how God has developed you while delivering you…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering that God stood as a defense for you. That God brought down who and what wanted to block your way and to stand between you and what He has for you or wants you to do…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
17 To him which smote great kings: For his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: For his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: For his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: For his mercy endureth for ever:
Considering how God made good on his promises; not just the promises to you but to those He made to your ancestors…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
21 And gave their land for an heritage: For his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering that God not only delivered you through situations and circumstances, but He also liberated you from the residual effects of such and equally restored your status…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: For his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering how the spiritual food of God’s Word provides nourishment for your soul and nutrient truths that guide your living…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering the dominion of God. That He is the Sovereign God, the Reigning God, the Omniscient (all-knowing), the Omnipresent (all present; everywhere), the Omnipotent (all-powerful), the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the God of gods, the Great I Am, the creator of the universe, the giver of life…Just Thankful.
Psalm 136
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: For his mercy endureth for ever.
Considering all this, we are commanded to and, therefore, must be deliberate about expressing how Just So Thankful we are.
Psalm 136
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.
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