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Trust & Obey
Giving thanks to God is characteristic of his people. It is an acknowledgement of God’s salvation, and as such, is natural for them. Do we realize that we can be sincere, yet wrong in how we express our thanks? God has shown us in his word how to express thankfulness, as he has shown us how to love. How we thank God for his blessings was not left up to us to decide. Likewise, how God saves us was not granted to us to decide.
The Bible is clear that we were helpless to save ourselves. It is because of God’s grace andmescy that we have reason to give him thanks. Indeed, we owe our very existence to God. Only man is capable of understanding why he should give thanks to God. Only man is capable of expressing thanks to God. The reason why this is so is because only man is made in the image of God. The psalmist acknowledged, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139.14).
God, in his grace, offers to man a covenant relationship, stating the terms, while man accepts the relationship by complying with the terms of that covenant. Salvation occurs as God’s offer of salvation is accepted upon God’s terms. So also is this the case in the giving of thanks. God has revealed in the covenant how his people express their giving of thanks.
There were many ways that thanksgiving was expressed by those under the Old Covenant. Whether by a sacrifice (Leviticus 22.29), through song (Psalm 69.30), or by prayer (Philippians 4.6), it was always as God had commanded in the covenant terms. Another important characteristic in the giving of thanks is that it was willingly offered (cf. Leviticus 22.29).
Concerning those under the New Covenant, we also find that the giving of thanks was always in connection with salvation. As such, it would be as God (who had provided their salvation) decreed in the terms of the New Covenant. So again it was not as they saw fit, nor was it guided by emotions, but as commanded of GOd. Also, it was not to be under compulsion, but willingly.
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 4.4
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many abound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 4.15
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5.18
God has not left it up to us as to how to thank him anymore than he has left it up to us as to how to worship him (Deuteronomy 12.30-32; Matthew 15.1-9; John 4.24) or how to live godly lives in Christ (2 Peter 1.3). He has revealed and taught us how to do both by his grace (Titus 2.11-12).
Thankfulness is really a discipline that needs to be valued for its spiritual benefits. But like anything that is of value, it needs to be exercised (i.e., nurtured and expressed). That it is to be expressed is clear, but it needs to be equally clear that it must be expressed in an obedient way. Our zeal must be “according to knowledge” (Romans 10.1-3). The nurtured aspect of giving thanks must be by obedience. Being truly thankful begins with recognizing how entirely dependent we are upon God’s mercy and provision, his ability to provide, and our confidence that he will (James 1.17ff).
When our thanks is expressed in obedience, an ongoing benefit is that pride will be rooted out of our lives. If not, pride will dominate in our lives (James 4.6). The Bible teaches that thanksgiving and obedience are inseparable, for true giving of thanks to God is only acceptable by God when it is in obedience to his will. This is seen from Psalm 50. In condemning his own people Israel, God said, “What right have you to tell of my statutes and tot are my covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.” It is clear that obedience and thankfulness are inseparable.
The only acceptable expression of thankfulness is in giving God what God most desires, and that, according to his own declaration, is obedience. Through the prophet Joel, God said in Joel 2.13, “Rend your heart and not your garments.” In Psalm 51.17 we read, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” This is what God wants from man. Let us return to him in obedience, and recognize his rightful authority to rule over us. What he promised and did for Judah, he will do for all who will trust and obey. God said he would “let them find him” (2 Chronicles 15.15). Jesus taught, “If any man’s will is to do the Father’s will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7.17).
Obedience will always be blessed of God. As Moses told them, “The Lord commanded us to observe all of these statutes…for our good always…and it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment” (Deuteronomy 6.24-25). Let us give true thinks…Trust and obey.
