This morning I decided to do a quick search on thanksgiving. I started with the phrase “give thanks to the Lord for…”
What I discovered was interesting. I expected phrases like “for he is good” or “he is holy.” But the consistent pattern in the Old Testament is…
“give thanks to the Lord for”
1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Chronicles 7:6 The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the LORD that King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD—for his steadfast love endures forever—whenever David offered praises by their ministry; opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood.
2 Chronicles 20:21 And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 118:29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (ESV)
A reminder that whether we are going through difficult circumstances or we are experiencing a time of abundance–the character of God’s does not change.
He is always good.
He is always loyal in His love toward us.
Therefore, we can trust His providence, provision, presence and precepts.
God does not change and His love is indeed steadfast, loyal, unchanging–I thank Him for His faithful.
