Thank you is an attitude of appreciation and gratitude for something we have received from someone or for what they have done. Praise is an attitude of recognition or commendation of a person's worth or ability.
In Psalm 92:1, we are told:
“It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1 AMP)
The psalmist tells us that it is a delightful thing to thank and praise God. It is therefore necessary for us as believers to cultivate an attitude of giving thanksgiving and praise to God.
One might ask for what reasons should I thank and praise God?
The reasons are innumerable, if we were to list them out we would not have enough room for all that God has done for us. However one of the most important reasons for thanking God is the gift of His only begotten son Jesus Christ who he sent to dwell among us and die for our sins. Hence we are reconciled to God.
These attitudes of thanksgiving and praise are amongst the most potent forces that produce our breakthroughs. They are attitudes that bring about our needs being met, they bring about miracles, they bring about increase and joy to the heart of God.
Someone said that we should not let our unmet needs blind us, but instead we should always take stock of God's blessings and goodness. This is absolutely true, as the word of God clearly encourages us in Philippians 4:6
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)
The psalmist in Psalm 103:1- 6 says we should not forget God's benefits. If we fail to recognise and thank God for His benefits, we loose out on His abundance.
When we thank and praise God, we are sharing our gratitude, our appreciation, recognition and commendation of God for His great benefits towards us on a daily basis.
Psalm 57:9 - “I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.” (Psalm 57:9 AMP)
Whilst Psalm 92 tells us that it is a good thing to thank and praise the most high, Psalm 57 tells us that it is a person's decision to praise and thank God in what ever situation they find themselves.
In this season, as we celebrate Christmas and eagerly await the new year 2013, let us choose to thank and praise God for giving His one and only begotten son Jesus. In giving us Jesus, He has given all things pertaining to life and godliness. You have every reason to praise and thank God this month.
Have a lovely Christmas.
