Gratitude

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name – 1 Chronicles 29:13

The first question we should ask is simply this: what is the “therefore” there for? In other words, whyare we to give thanks and praise to God’s glorious name?

The answer is in the previous verse, and in David’s declaration that everything we have comes from God:

"Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all” (12).

No matter how hard you may have worked, or how well you may have done, everything that you are enjoying ultimately comes from God’s gracious hand.

Do you have enough money to cover your expenses? Have you moved up the ladder at your workplace? Is your name becoming well-known as a success in certain circles? Then it is God who has given you the skills, the health, and the mind to flourish in this way.

On the other hand, perhaps you have not known worldly success, or been honored as of late. Know this: God, in his perfect wisdom and with his mighty hand, has dispensed to you exactly what is best for you, if you are his.

Therefore, no matter what our circumstance or situation, we thank you, God, and praise your glorious name!