I love Psalm 107 in light of this day set aside specifically for giving thanks. Written from a heart that truly knew what it meant to give thanks in all circumstances, the psalmist goes through and lists all of the ways the people of God had faced distressful circumstances and all of the ways God rescued them. It’s a psalm of praise for God’s steadfast love that never fades or ends but endures forever. 

The writer of Psalm 107 began by giving thanks to God, not only because of what He had done for him but first because of Who God is:

Good

Merciful

Steadfast 

Loving

Written from a place of gratitude because of what God had redeemed His people from:

Desert wastelands

Hunger

Thirst

Longing souls

Distress

Trouble

Destruction

Darkness

Death

Prison

Hard labor

Affliction

Rebellion

The psalmist responds to all of this by saying: “Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!” As I read this Psalm, I had to think about all of what I let get in the way of truly being grateful. Things like:

Busyness

Overwhelm

Discontent 

Worry

Plenty

Ease

Comfort

Lethargy

I love verses 30-31: “They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for all humanity.” The truth is that those who have suffered and matured under hard and messy circumstances have a better ability to truly appreciate God and all He has done than those who never struggle with pain.

Psalm 107 serves as a reminder to me of the need to push past all that keeps my heart from feeling gratitude to see how I know God to be good. This helps me as I reflect on all the mercies He’s showered me with, and all that makes Him worthy of my praise.

One thing I have discovered to be true is that thankfulness in the heart of a Believer is often born in the fires of affliction. It takes the eyes of faith to see God’s goodness in the midst of hard times as well as in times of satisfaction. Without faith, our life lenses are fogged over because of the struggles we face when we can’t see the way ahead or view how God is guiding & caring for us in the midst of hardship. Or our lenses are distorted because of the lethargy of having too much comfort, ease, & plenty when we take for granted all the good God has poured into our lives.  

One thing I have discovered to be true is that thankfulness in the heart of a Believer is often born in the fires of affliction.

Jana M. Fraley

But put on the lens of faith & suddenly we can see all of God’s goodness & mercy. It’s through the daily spiritual practices that make our faith active & living: being in His Word, meeting with other Believers, talking to Him in prayer. . . this is what brings all He is doing into clearer focus & gives us a heart of thanksgiving!

Having a correct lens of faith is how we can clearly see that He really does work all things out for our good when we put our trust in Him. We experience His love, care & guidance when we put our faith into action & see the ways He has refined, strengthened, & prepared us for greater works. 

Are you struggling today? Praise God!! Thank Him for the ways He is showing you all of His goodness, mercy, & steadfast love in the midst of your troubles. 

Are you lethargic from an overabundance in life? Praise God!! And wake up from the lethargy that this can cause. God has given us so much, not so we can enjoy an easy life, but so we will experience His mercy & share it with others. . . that we would offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of His deeds in songs of joy!

I love Thanksgiving and the opportunity we’re given to stop & consider all of the ways God is good & merciful; how His steadfast love endures forever. To recognize how He provides, protects, redeems, refines, & strengthens. Because Beloved, we are the redeemed of the Lord, & He wants us to tell others about all He has redeemed us from.