Thanksgiving

The thanksgiving offering is one of the few bloodless sacrifices (Leviticus 7:12-13) but it is one of the more challenging because praise does not flow naturally from our lips.

Psalms 50:14-15 says, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (KJV). Before there is any deliverance, thanksgiving must be offered up to God and when we are rescued, we glorify Him.

And we read in Hebrews 13:5 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name" (NIV).

Rather most of us complain, grumble, gossip or malign others when things go wrong (or even right but it's not enough!). I would suggest complaining is a form of Satanic worship. Complaining often turns inward and downward with a focus on self rather than an outward and upward worship directed to God.

And complaining can quickly turn into bitter accusations hurled at God. We see this played out in the lives of the Israelites wandering in the desert who grumbled about God's provision of food and water. They wanted to return to Egypt than live out in the wilderness. Sadly, none of that generation saw the Promise Land, except Joshua and Caleb.

As mentioned earlier, when we offer thanksgiving, God will deliver us. Think of Paul and Silas in jail who were offering up praise to God when a mighty earthquake shook the inner prison. Chains were broken and the prisoners were set free (Acts 16:25).

We can remain bound if we complain or we can be free when we open our lips to simply say, "Thank you, Jesus."