Intimacy With God Is Our Prize When We Give Thanks

In less than a week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, an important national holiday in the United States. For many people it can mean different things: a turkey feast, a big football day, or the day before "Black Friday" which is the kick-off to the Christmas shopping season. Yet, the origin of the holiday in the U.S., has to do with the Pilgrims who gave thanks to God for their preservation, well-being, and the fulfillment of their hopes to live in a land where they could freely practice their faith. 

Thanksgiving is about honoring God. While it is a holiday, it should also be a way of life for us as believers. By giving thanks we recognize that we are a people who continually need Him. We also acknowledge the Lord as the source of our lives and every blessing that we've been given. To give God thanks honors and glorifies Him. Being thankful, along with a deep-felt gratitude and humility toward God, is indispensable to living a victorious life in Christ. Our King loves a thankful, humble heart and He rewards us for it (Psalm 146:6-8 & 1 Corinthians1:26-31). It deepens our love for God and creates within us a spirit of worship and praise.

King David is a great example of someone who knew the secret of giving thanks and was richly blessed for it. In 1 Chronicles 15-16 David, along with the elders and commanders of Israel, brought the ark into Jerusalem. As you may recall, he danced with all his might before God as they brought the ark into the city. Offerings and sacrifices were given by the people out of gratitude and worship. David entrusted to Asaph and those with him a psalm of thanksgiving (1Chronicles 16:7-36). This beautiful psalm encouraged the people of Israel to give God thanks; as well as to sing, glorify, praise, recall His mighty deeds, and called for all creation to acknowledge His worthiness.

When we get out of our comfort zone and radically thank God, like the Jews did when they worshiped at the arrival of the ark in Jerusalem, we are brought through the gate of our limited physical lives and into the presence of the King of Kings. Our thanksgiving turns into worship and causes our hearts and spirits to be one with God. We cannot help but know His pleasure and blessing by the atmosphere we create by our thanksgiving and worship. Yes, that is correct! It is the atmosphere we create, not God. We do this by initiating the thanks and praise, and He responds by blessing us with His presence.

The intimacy we experience as a result of our encounter with God causes us to know our Father's heart and to participate/partake of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). By participating in His divine nature, we see His glory and goodness in full measure. We also become aware that every single one of His very great and precious promises are given to us and meant to be fulfilled in our lives (2 Peter 1:3-4); regardless of our lives or circumstances. He is over all those things. In His presence we are meant to be transformed and deeply blessed.

Thankfulness is a crucial key for growing in intimacy and releasing the power of God in our lives. Expect God to richly bless and move in your midst as you cultivate a life of thanking Him with a sincere and pure heart. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).