Rejoicing Awe

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28-29 NASB

If we truly take note of what God does for us every second of every minute of every day, we would be absolutely amazed. And when we are amazed, that will lead to praise. Praise will cultivate gratitude. We can start by being grateful for the grace God gives us in the seemingly simple, yet extremely complex life that He maps out for us. 

It’s easy to thank God when life is going well. My heart naturally swells with gratitude on days when things are running smoothly, at times when a prayer is boldly answered or in seasons when we have money enough for fun extras rather than shelling it out to fix a broken transmission. 

But what about when circumstances and situations push us past our limits or we are waiting longer than We had hoped for God to answer or money squeezes the fun right out? When gratitude might not flow so easily. 

At the first hint of a beaver dam blocking our gratitude let us be so immersed in our walk with Jesus that our response will be prayer and reading the Bible! Scripture is clear that God calls us to be thankful in all things! Holy Spirit shared the following verses and there are many many more throughout the old and new testaments:

Gratitude glorifies God.  Our gratitude glorifies God as we exalt not the gifts, but the Giver. Gratitude helps us remember that all we have comes not because of us, but from God.  2 Corinthians 4:15 NASB For all things are for your sakes, so that God’s grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 

Gratitude helps us see God.  Gratitude opens our spiritual eyes. There’s a beautiful cycle in giving God thanks: the more we thank Him, the more we see Him working in us and around us, we sense God’s presence, His care and His perfect timing.  James 1:16-17 NASB Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Gratitude puts us in God’s will.  We often make God’s will out to be some big, mystical plan when sometimes, it’s simply our obedience. And part of His will for us is to be thankful, not just on the sunny days but on the down pouring, hard rainfall ones as well.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Gratitude brings Holy Spirit’s peace.  Count our blessings, not sheep, to get rid of the worry keeping us up at night. Gratitude helps us see that God’s hand is all over our circumstances as He tells us that when we give Him our thanks, He gives us supernatural peace.  Philippians 4:5-7 NASB Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Gratitude becomes a testimony.  When we thank God openly, publicly, and acknowledge what He’s done for us, we proclaim a personal, caring Jesus Christ to the world around us. We show that contentment and peace come not from what we have but rather Who we know.  Deuteronomy 32:1-4 NASB Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb. For I proclaim the name of the Lord; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

My friends, the distractions of this world are a main hindrance to gratitude. In this day and age, we are bombarded with constant glimpses into the lives of others through social media and distressing news updates that are hard to sift and separate the non-fiction from fiction and while information is necessary and can be used to our benefit, over-saturation of outside information is detrimental to our attention and adoration towards the Lord. Sometimes, we let the noise of this world speak louder than the voice of our Holy holy Holy God.

Practically speaking, Active obedience is trusting God at His word.  This means that amid life’s trials, we stay open and aligned to what His word tells us to do, trusting that His ways are better than ours. It is submission to Holy Spirit’s work in our lives to transform us into the image of Jesus.  When we are obedient, our obedience leads to the miracles of God and displays His faithfulness. The act of alliance to Him is our way of showing God that we fully trust Him and that we are giving Him full control of our circumstances and lives. And at the same time we have a responsibility to develop the talent and gifts God has given us to use in our time here.