Worship through Thanksgiving

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. - Hebrews 13:15

“Keep an attitude of gratitude.” Maaring halos lahat tayo narinig or napagsabihan na ng timeless saying na ito. In fact, there are numerous medical researches proving the impact of a grateful or thankful heart to a longer and healthier life. Some people even keep a personal journal to write down the top five things they are thankful for each day to help them practice the attitude of gratitude.

But let’s go beyond the science of being thankful! Let’s dive deep into some biblical truths about giving thanks to God as our act of worship.

In Hebrews 13:15, the author directly tells us how to express our thankfulness: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."

Giving thanks to God is a continuous act of offering praise to Him. But is it always easy to be thankful continuously, especially when you are in the lowest, most painful, and most devastating state of your life? The Word does not discount these personal realities; that’s why it emphasizes, "... continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise."

Nawalan ka ba ng minamahal sa buhay ngayong taong ito? Are you growing weary and tired of contending for God’s promises in your life? More than 10 years ka ng nagdarasal para sa career promotion or dream marriage, kasama pa ito sa prayer and fasting mo taon-taon, pero wala pa ring breakthrough.
 
Any major grief, loss, deepest pain, or disappointment has a way of keeping our eyes and ears from sensing the goodness of God.They even have a way of making us spiritually mute. Note that the enemy is taking advantage of these situations. He locks us down to our life’s circumstances so he can isolate us from The Father and silence our worship. In the highs and lows of life, we need to be vigilant in offering God our thanksgiving and praise simply because it is due to Him.

To maintain a thankful heart before the Lord, we need to renew our minds as our spiritual act of worship. In Romans 12:1-2, the NIV says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

We don’t settle with the world’s quick fixes. We do not conform to the solutions it provides. Rather, we depend on Jesus through the Holy Spirit alone!

Ask the Lord, “Father, what are you teaching me about this situation? What do you want me to learn about Your nature through this situation? How do you see me in this situation?”

Ask God to give you His spirit of revelation and wisdom so that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened to see the purposes He called you into through your situation (Ephesians 1:17–18). When we have a renewed mind in Christ, the Holy Spirit enables us to face life’s difficulties with wisdom, joy, and a thankful heart.

What are you thankful for? Don’t just keep a gratitude list in your journal. Speak to the Lord with what’s in your heart in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV exhorts, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Let us worship God continuously in thanksgiving, even in sacrificial praise, as long as we live. May we resolve to live out the truth of Psalm 104:33: "I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!"


In highs and lows of life, O Lord be magnified!
You’re Holy, Holy, Holy!
I offer up my life, as a living sacrifice.
You’re Worthy, Worthy, Worthy!
Jesus, You reign on high.
With You I live this life, ascended into Your glory!
Oh Holy Spirit come, renew, transform my heart to worship into the glory!
Father, we praise Your name on high for You are worthy!
Yes, You are worthy!
Amen.