To be GRATEFUL is to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually GOD-CENTERED. The question is, in such a fickle and fractured world, how do we go there and stay there? The answer? It is not in more stuff, experiences, health, relationships, or even a careful review of what we have in each of these categories. As one author wisely concludes, ““Someone else is content with less than what you have.” In contrast with the token nods of shallow gratitude pervasively offered in our day, look to praise steeped in Scripture ABOUT OUR GOD for a robust, resilient sense of thankfulness. Here is a new, biblically-saturated song that North Life Worship introduced at our church just a few weeks ago that perfectly verbalizes what the cry of our sparse or abundant celebrations should be on this Thanksgiving:
You made the starry hosts
You traced the mountain peaks
You paint the evening sky with wonders
The earth, it is Your throne
From desert to the sea
All nature testifies Your splendor
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Sing His greatness
All creation
Praise the Lord
Raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord
You reached into the dust
In love, Your Spirit breathed
You formed us in Your very likeness
To know Your wondrous works
To tell Your mighty deeds
To join the everlasting chorus
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Sing His greatness
All creation
Praise the Lord
Raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord
Let symphonies resound
Let drums and choirs ring out
All heaven hear the sound of worship
Let every nation bring
Its honors to the King
A roar of harmonies eternal
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Sing His greatness
All creation
Praise the Lord
Raise your voice
You heights and all you depths
From furthest east to west
You distant burning stars
All creatures near and far
From sky to sea to shore
Sing out forevermore
Let everything that has breath
Praise the Lord
Does this post find you still a part of “everything that has breath”? Then you have every reason to praise the Lord who gives you that breath and deserves you to “in everything give thanks” to Him! Start with reading/singing this rich Psalm, and the One who inhabits the intentional, expansive praise of His people (Ps. 22:3) will draw near wherever this Thanksgiving finds you and yours. Don’t look to a begrudgingly assembled list of blessings to muster up a grateful spirit; instead, take some time today to soak in the intrinsic grace and glory of your infinite God. In reality as Albert Mohler put it, “The most important part of giving thanks is not ‘for WHAT’ but ‘to WHOM.'”
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
harleysnode 
Thank you for sending this post today, how fitting for our life as we should be living to thank Whom. My wife and I have been attending your church the last couple of weeks to come to really enjoy Northlife’s ministry, the message, friendly uplifting people and actually seeing and knowing others who worshipping. Thanks be to you and the entire church family. We do plan on continuing our prayers for God to lead us in a thankful pleasing direction.
Jim, thank you for sharing how the Lord is using His local church! We are grateful to worship Him with you and your wife. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!