How Can We Thank God?

Articles

Stan L. Caldwell
09/13/17 - Articles

There can be no question left to the fact that God has blessed us greatly in life. When we study the lepers who were cured by Jesus and see that only one returned to give thanks and Jesus’ saying, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17- 18), we long to give thanks to God! In Nehemiah’s day the Jews longed to give thanks and we see them doing this in several ways as we too are encouraged to give thanks.

1. GIVE THANKS BY PRAYER. There were those, “who began the thanksgiving with prayer” (Neh. 11:17). Men ought always to, “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:17-18).

2. GIVE THANKS BY GIVING. In chapter 10 of Nehemiah we see the thanksgiving of the people by the manner in which they gave o the Lord. You should read this chapter and see the great giving by the people of Nehemiah’s day. We can thank God by giving to him of our means, talents, time and lives.

3. GIVE THANKS BY SINGING. Nehemiah in dedicating the Wall of the city of Jerusalem divided the people into “two large thanksgiving choirs” and they sang the “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Neh. 12:31, 46). We can thank God by singing while thinking of the great things He has done and of our gratitude to Him.

4. GIVE THANKS BY REJOICING. Neh. 12:43-44 shows the children of Israel thanking God by rejoicing over the service of the Lord and those ministering to them spiritually. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.” What better way can Christians show their thanksgiving than by rejoicing in the Lord!

5. GIVE THANKS BY REMOVING EVIL. Neh 13:14 says, “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!” Nehemiah made many reforms in Jerusalem. He removed the things that were wrong and reinstated the good service of God. You too are to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). By our removing sin from our lives and being obedient in all things we show our thanksgiving for all God had done for us. Let us be thankful!