As America celebrates Thanksgiving this week, most will pause to be grateful for various things in life. For many of us, this is one of our favorite holidays. What a joy to slow down as a nation long enough to consider all the things for which we can be grateful!

For the Christ-follower, Thanksgiving goes much further than mere gratitude over the blessings of life, family, Indians, Pilgrims, and our nation. When the Christian considers all of his or her blessings this week, the celebration goes past the day off work, family recipes, parades, and football. Instead, our gratitude resonates with praise of our God, who provides blessings in both this life and the one to come.

It Is Good to Praise God

In Psalm 147, the psalmist reminds us that it is good to praise God. Praise is both pleasant and beautiful. We take our rightful place alongside all creation to proclaim praise to God for His creative and sustaining work (cf. Ps 148). As we reflect on God’s character and work, we take our rightful position of giving praise to God. God deserves the praise of the universe.

For What Do We Praise?

The psalmist draws our attention to the many ways God deserves our praise.

  • He works providentially in our lives (v. 2).
  • He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (v. 3).
  • He controls the universe–even to knowing the number of stars and calling them by name (v. 4).
  • He is powerful and infinite (v. 5).
  • He lifts up the humble and casts down the wicked (v. 6).
  • He provides cloud cover and rain, causes grass to grow, and provides food for all of nature (vv. 7-9).
  • He strengthens nations, blesses children, makes peace, and provides food (vv. 12-14).
  • He commands all of nature–the earth obeys Him and runs smoothly, even down to all the expressions of weather patterns (vv. 15-18).
  • He takes special delight in His own people (vv. 19-20).

Essentially, God deserves praise for everything. He sustains the world and provides for us. From the weather to God’s provisions for our health, God is active in every part of our day. His fingerprints of grace are on each area of our lives.

What Is the Attitude of Praise?

In the middle of this psalm, the writer emphasizes the attitude in which God delights.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.

In what does God not delight? Although we may be impressed by our own power and ability, God does not delight in those things. In fact, any personal power or ability that we enjoy comes from God. Therefore, pride or a lack of genuine humility hinders true praise of God.

In what does the Lord take pleasure? God receives pleasure when we approach Him out of genuine respect and in humility. He delights in the person who honors Him and depends upon Him. True praise originates in the humble heart which recognizes God’s character and works.

This psalm highlights God’s provision, power, and care. He actively works. Every part of the universe depends upon His control and is called to praise Him. Likewise, the one who fears God recognizes his or her complete dependence upon God for everything in life. From creation, God has graciously provided for mankind.

True praise of God, however, includes more than just recognizing His control. True praise resounds from the one whose hope is in the mercy of God. This is significant. The Christian’s hope is in a God who is more than just powerful. The Christian hopes in the God who is also merciful.

Praise Ultimately Focuses on Jesus Christ

As we reflect on God’s provisions for life and His kindness toward us, our attention focuses on Jesus, the cross, salvation, and eternity. There is no greater reflection of the power and provision of God toward mankind than the person of Jesus. When man had no hope of eternal life, God sent Jesus to provide eternal life through His sacrificial death.

Questions for Reflection

As you prepare for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving celebration, for what are you grateful? How have you seen God’s power and provision demonstrated in your life?

 

This article first appeared on the Biblical Counseling Coalition site.

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