Thankful Praise to Our Good God

 

“Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”–Psalm 106:1 (NAS)

 

For all our moral stumbling, many people know excellence when they see it and are overwhelmed by the magnetism of goodness. Goodness attracts.

 

It is proclaimed so that the circle of adulation can widen. That’s why we have film critics who laud good movies and restaurant critics who highlight where to get a fine meal. When an athlete shows excellence, sports fans find it irresistible. Excellence is magnetic and powerful!

 

We like good things. Perhaps that’s why so very few people have ever scratched their heads over the presence of goodness. We routinely hear, “Why is there evil in the world? Why do bad things happen?” But when was the last time you heard someone cry out, “How can you explain the presence of excellence? Why do good things happen to people?”

 

Theologians and philosophers wrestle with the so-called “problem of evil,” but the “problem of goodness” does not exist. Why? It’s because “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. … The eyes of all look expectantly to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Ps 145:9, 15-16; cf. Jas 1:17). That is partly why it’s such a callous insult not to thankfully acknowledge God (Rom 1:18-32), especially since He remains “kind to the unthankful and evil” (Luke 6:35) —not to mention to His children!

 

There are at least 140 biblical references to giving thanks to God, thirty five in the Psalms alone. Added together, some form of “thanks” and “praise” are mentioned 461 times, often in the same breath (e.g., 1 Chron 23:30; 29:13; Ps 30:4; 100:4). How often are those  words—or  at  least  those  sentiments—in  our breaths?

 

Although we could look at many examples, Daniel was a great man of prayer and praise. His prayer shows three specific ways “to  give  thanks  and  praise” to  God  (Dan  2:23);  namely, to thankfully praise God for (1) His timeless character, (2) His present work in your life, and (3) His past actions in history (see

vv. 19-23). That alone should keep you busy thankfully praising for a lifetime…and eternity (cf. Rev 4:8-5:14)!

 

For Discussion: Brainstorm and journal several responses to the three aspects of thankful praise. Then pray a prayer incorporating them.

 

Family Activity: Turn to Psalm 136. Have an adult read the first half of each verse, while the rest of the family echoes the refrain in the second half. Give it some“grateful gusto!”