Stop Giving Thanks to God

Put away the pitchforks. Extinguish the flames and put the oil back in the tank. I am not trying to be heretical. Yes, I know that we are to give thanks in everything. Yes I know every good thing is from above. And yes, I am very, very, very thankful for all our Lord has done. Did I say very?

I tagged the title to grab your attention. There are times I seek to prompt praises and adorations from individuals/groups as we pray. I seek for us to acknowledge the greatness of our God, to attempt to describe the indescribable, to lift His name on high, and to challenge us to worship Him for who He is. I seek praises for our God. Though closely related, praises are different than thanksgivings.

We praise God for who He is – – we thank God for what He has done.

Examples … there are times that I know without doubt that God has provided resources, such as financial assistance or an open door for opportunities. I thank Him for what He provided … I praise Him for being the God that is caring and compassionate. I thank Him for showing me compassion (as in Him taking my place on the cross) but I praise Him for being a compassionate God.

So I praise Him for being a sovereign, healer, all powerful, all knowing, and faithful God (just to list a few.). I thank Him for healing me, redeeming me, protecting me, saving me.

So, back to the start here. Stop giving thanks to God for what He has done for you, but just long enough to praise Him for who He is. After all, He inhabits the praises of His people.

This Easter, may we offer our praises and our thanksgivings.