"Praise my soul, the King of heaven;
to His feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore His praises sing."
-Henry Francis Lyte
Image courtesy/Dreamstime.com
When I visited Mexico, I wished I knew how to speak Spanish.
I would say "Gracias" (thank you), "Muy Bien" (very good) and "Hola" (hello).
But that was about it. I grew tired of just saying, "Gracias" to everyone
who talked with me or did something for me.
But we should never grow tired of giving words of thanks to God.
David knew the importance of saying thanks. After he became king
over Israel and had a tent constructed to house the Ark of the Covenant,
(where God's presence dwelt) he appointed some of the Levites,
"to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord." (1 Chron. 16:4).
Many people remained there to offer sacrifices and give thanks to God daily.
David also committed to Asaph and his associates a song of thanks.
His song gave thanks for what the Lord had done:
"Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name;
make known His deeds among the nations.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
tell of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Seek out the LORD and His strength;
seek His face always.
Remember the wonders He has done,
His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,
O offspring of His servant Israel,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones.
Then cry out: "Save us, God of our salvation;
gather and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to Your holy name,
that we may glory in Your praise.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting."
(1 Chronicles 16:8-13; 35, 36)
Like David, we should never grow tired of saying "Gracias" to God
for who He is and for all He's done for us. Take time today to
offer your sacrifice of praise to Him.
"Gracias!"
(2011)
A devotional by
Anne Cetas
American Christian writer
and a former editor for
Our Daily Bread Ministries
