Why is giving of thanks important? What does a parent who has made great sacrifices for the good of their children hope for in return? Simply that they appreciate their love and efforts to care and provide for them, and live good and honorable lives that reflect the values they hold in high esteem. Similarly, God, the Father of Creation, who sparked great galaxies with the utterance of His Word, and who, for our benefit, suffered the abuse and awful murder of His precious Son (who was then raised again) waits with baited breath for you, his wandering lamb, to reach out to Him in love and thanksgiving. It gives God joy when we praise Him! Do you realize what power you have? You can give the God who created the universe joy! You have the power to bring a smile to His heart, and to share that joy with him! What an honor. What a privilege. What a shame that we don't do it more often.
While the importance of giving thanks and praise to God is a prevailing theme from Genesis to Revelation, it is in the latter that we can peer through an open window into the very throne room of God Himself. If we look past the scary stuff and focus on what is going on in the throne room, what do we see? The seemingly sole focus of the inhabitants is the continual praise of God and his Lamb, Christ Jesus. Consider, for example in chapter 5, "...the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its
seals, because you were slain, and with your
blood you purchased for God persons from every
tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve
our God, and they will reign on the earth.
Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels,
numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They
encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud
voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and
glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and
honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders
fell down and worshiped."
Wow. When we really see the glory of God and His Son, we can't help but be awestruck with wonder and overflowing with praise and thanksgiving. It is only our spiritual blindness that keeps us from doing otherwise.
Accept, with joy, His gifts of love, then live life with the attitude of gratitude and make God smile!!!
