The Worship of a Thankful Heart

Genesis 46:1-4

¹So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ²And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” ³Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. ⁴I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

(ESV)

Thought:
What do you think it is to worship God? Does it mean singing music? Does it mean yelling “hallelujah” during a sermon? Well back in Jacob’s day one showed their gratitude to their God by offering a sacrifice. Slaughtering an animal which was the currency of wealth in that day, and was worth quite a far chunk of money, and offering it to God upon an altar.

Here was Jacob expressing his gratitude to God for his gracious provision. Back in Genesis 37 after Joseph shared his dream with the whole family it says…

Genesis 37:11

¹¹I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

(ESV)

He had kept this revelation given to Joseph stored up in his mind, surely he had pondered it for many years. Has God been lying? How could the family bow down to Joseph if he was dead? But then the impossible happens and his dead son is returned to him.

Now this is a grand gift from God, to receive back a son. But do we not receive grand gifts everyday? Part of our sinful nature makes us take things to granted, with time we grow tired of even the most amazing landscapes if we see them enough. Novelty wears off. Every breath we take, the wind on our face, the sun warming our backs. None of that is ours by right, all of it is given as a gift, everyday God is declaring his love for this entire world, as he continues to show these graces even to those who hate him most.

Let us be filled with thanksgiving towards God, do not grow numb to the reality of just how much God has done for you. Be always grateful, always in prayer to him thanking him for every single tiny and big joy in this life. For without him you would have none of it.

You shall find that thanksgiving to God, as a regular part of our lives, shall solve many spiritual and mental struggles that we face in this world, if only we continue in it. So let us thank him always, and enjoy the many pleasures he has gifted to us.

Reflection:
As I go about my day, I need to be intentional about thanking God for the gifts I so easily take for granted. It is easy to focus on what I wish I had and overlook the countless ways He provides for me every day. Today I need to apply this by slowing down and recognising His goodness in both the big and small things. The more I cultivate gratitude, the more I see His hand at work in my life and the less room there is for discontentment and discouragement.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your constant kindness and provision. Forgive me for the times I take Your gifts for granted. Help me to live with a thankful heart, recognising that every good thing comes from You. May gratitude become a regular part of my worship, and may it draw me closer to You each day. Amen.