Wednesday, 5 October 2022

What is a Grateful Heart?

 

O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”  Ps. 95:1-3

“Give thanks with a grateful heart” is a chorus doxology that has been sung at Glenwood Church when our offering is presented to God and is dedicated. Thanksgiving weekend is soon approaching and it is a time when we gather together and offering God our thanks. But what is a grateful heart? How does one’s heart exemplify gratefulness? Alternatively, can one give thanks without a  grateful heart?

Yes would be the answer to this—we might call it ‘lip-service”. This means that we offer God the expression of our words through saying ‘Thank you,” but in reality the thanks we offer is not from within our being.

A grateful heart is the heart of a person which is filled with God’s Spirit. This person has experienced God’ gift of hope offered through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in response to this gift gratitude is supreme.  One who is grateful is humbled by the blessings God has made possible through the work and generosity of others. Often a grateful hearted person is overwhelmed and just has to share this with others. They cannot keep it to themselves.

As the Psalmist states, “"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Ps. 9:1

As we prepare to welcome family and friends into our homes, to prepare food and a special dinner together, are we willing to share with others the gift of gratitude to God and why being grateful is a condition of one’s heart? As you prepare to share this special time, why not ask what it is that makes you grateful and what calls you to truly give thanks to God?

Let us consider this as we offer God our Thanks for His many Gifts to us, including his Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Remember to give thanks in all circumstances. For this your way to offer yourself in humility and hope.

PRAYER: Thank you, God for everything-- ……   Amen

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