Grateful Forever

*Grateful Forever*

"So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever:
we will shew forth thy praise to all generations." Psalm 79:13

Our English word "gratitude" is derived from the Latin *gatia* which was
associated with the idea of grace and gratefulness. For the Christian, a
lifetime of experiencing the grace of God should result in a lifetime of
gratitude, expressed in praise and worship to God.

The Bible says that we are to "offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name"
(Heb. 13:15). The Jewish people even had a "sacrifice of thanksgiving"
that they offered unto God (Lev. 7, 22; Neh. 12). The psalmist exhorts us
to "come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise
unto him with psalms ... Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into
his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name" (Ps.
95:2; 100:4). And the apostle Paul reminds us Who is ultimately worthy of
our thanksgiving - "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness,
which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of
this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant
also by many thanksgivings unto God" (2 Cor. 9:11-12).

If you are a follower of Christ, you have experienced the grace of God. So
how have you responded? Sacrificially, in a way that blesses Him and
causes others to offer thanksgiving unto God as well? Make today, and
every other day, a grateful day of praise.

*God is never less than generous, even when we are less than grateful.
(John Blanchard)*