(31) The Heart of Worship is Thankful

(Note: This is part of a continuing series of posts on The Heart of Worship & Psalm 95)

Let us come before His presence

with thanksgiving,

(Psalm 95:2)

When we truly “come before His presence”, when we take note of who our God is, we will see how innumerable are the blessings we have in Christ. We will quickly see how much we have to be thankful for! Genuine worship will spring from a thankful heart and at the same time produce a thankful heart.

But, what if I don’t feel thankful? Certainly you have faced times in your life when you just didn’t feel like you had anything to be thankful for. But, in reality, the most critical time for us to “come before His presence with thanksgiving” is at that very point when we feel we have the least to be thankful for. It is then that we must choose to give thanks even though everything in us is telling us to despair and complain.

What I need to recognize is that if I don’t feel thankful it indicates one of two things. First, it may indicate that I have lost focus and trust in the goodness, greatness, and glory of God. I have compounded the sin of thankfulness on top of the sin of unbelief.

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. (Psalm 33:1-4 ESV)

Notice that this call to thankfulness is rooted in belief in the Word of God. It is belief that God’s Word is right. Added to this is confidence in the faithfulness of God. It is unwavering faith that what God does is right and is in keeping with His character and promises. So, the real question is not how you feel, it is, “What do your believe?” Selwyn Hughes challenges us, “Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.” Cling to the truth you know in your heart rather than giving ear to the confusion in your head.

Another reason I may become unthankful is because I am valuing something other than God. If my heart is set on material things, earthly success or social status, my attitude of thankfulness will be like a roller coaster. But, there’s something far more valuable that is always fulfilling and leads to genuine delight, thanksgiving, and worship . . . the glory of God!

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalm 57:9-11 NAU)

Notice in this Psalm that David’s heart of thanksgiving is rooted in a heart to praise Him because of the glories of His covenantal love, His magnificent truth, and His majestic exaltation over all the universe. Knowing God’s glory and having a heart to see His glory exalted, will result in a heart of thanksgiving.

Are you thankful?

Soli Deo Gloria

Next:  (32) The Heart of Worship is Engaging