The Bible’s call to gratitude is overwhelmingly vertical: we’re urged and moved to give thanks TO God. Of course, it’s right to thank to each other; gratitude toward family and friends and our fellow church members is a vital ingredient in healthy, spiritually maturing relationships. But thanks to God is primary! From Scripture:
- I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds (Ps 9:1—note: wholehearted thanks).
- I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations (Ps 57:9—i.e., thanks as witness).
- I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Ps 86:12—thanks morphs into praise).
- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever (Ps 136:1—we thank him for unwavering goodness to us).
- Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Jer 33:11).
- For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Rom 1:21—failed gratitude brings futility and darkness).
- But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:57—we credit Him for defeating death!).
- We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,… (1 Thess 1:2—we credit God for one another).
- We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign (Rev 11:17).
Also, not only is gratitude vertical, but typically it involves thanks FOR spiritual bounty overflowing from the heart of God—for grace, love, forgiveness, and acceptance forever through Christ.
So be on the lookout: if your gratitude this Thanksgiving weekend is all taken up with hearth, home, harvest, and health, ask God to help you put first things first. And then, lift up your eyes beyond these temporal blessings to see God’s glory and stand in awe of his saving, life-transforming, eternal grace. Let this be a season of sweet gratitude for the redeeming love of Jesus!
