It’s the week of thanksgiving in America. A holiday where businesses, schools, and the government shuts down to allow families to gather and give thanks. Many will gather with family and eat so much they are miserable. Some will show acts of kindness to others to show their gratitude for what they have. A few will gather and talk about how blessed they are by God. They will give thanks to the one who “owns the cattle on a thousand hills” as proclaimed in Psalm 50. He is the creator of all and owns it all. At our house, we will enjoy a meal and then take time afterward to share with one another about the goodness of our God. We will share what God has done, what He has taught us through good and tough times, and what we desire Him to do in our lives for the future. Amidst all the celebrations, God will get the preeminent place He deserves.
This is what David was instructing the Israelites to do in I Chronicles chapter 16. David longs to renew the nation in the worship of Jehovah God. To do that he wants to bring the long-neglected ark into his new capital city as a sign that the Lord, the true King over Israel, is once again in the midst of his people. Finally, after many years the Ark of the Covenant was brought home to Jerusalem where it belonged.
In verse 8, David instructs them to give thanks unto the Lord, but not just give thanks. They are to make known to all the people what God has done. They were instructed to sing praises unto Him and to talk of all His wondrous works. They were to give God the glory and rejoice as they sought Him. In verse 11, they are to seek the Lord, and His strength continually. When I read these verses, I get a sense that they were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. David reminds them again in verse 12 to remember God’s marvelous works, His wonders, and His judgments.
I Chronicles 16:8-12 “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.”
When I read I Chronicles 16:8, the phrase “make known his deeds among the people” jumped off the page to me. It gives us a command that I don’t believe is being followed by many Christians. I had to stop and reflect on conversations I have had in recent days, and I felt conviction flood over me as I recalled the conversations, not just with those who don’t know Him, but with Christians. Seldom did anyone seem excited about God. I heard about all the other things going on in people’s lives, work, children, family events coming up, but nothing that emulates the commands in verses I Chronicles 16:8-12. I believe if we follow the example in these verses, it will take care of a multitude of things.
First, we would be letting the world know where we stand with God. We are to be thankful people, God’s people, who call upon Him. Also, it will identify us as praying people. Second, it will identify us as a proclaiming people. We will let everyone know who He is and that He is our God. The one who sustains us both physically and spiritually. He is the one who provides all our needs for now and eternity. Third, when these verses are followed, we will be happier. We will live with a sense of gratitude that surpasses any other feelings. Our praise will ring out in song and the rejoicing in our hearts will overflow. Forth, it will show our dependence on Him as we seek His face and His strength continually. He will receive the glory for everything good. Fifth, our conversations will be about all He has done, His marvelous works will be talked about. Living this way makes our lives all about Him, not about us.
If we purposefully lived this way there would be a profound change in the world and especially in our circle of life. How are you showing thanks to God for what He has done for you? Are you proclaiming His goodness to all who are around you, teaching, and telling them of the goodness of your God? Will your thanksgiving consist of a prayer before the meal with the rest of the day talking about how good the meal was or reminiscing of times past? If you are a Christian, every day should be a day of thanksgiving. Seek Him today and share His goodness with others. Proclaim your thanksgiving today and every day.
