“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 107:1)
We do well to give God thanks for the mercy and goodness we have tasted and seen. But our thanksgiving is not predicated upon our seeing of good. We are to give thanks to the Lord because He is good. Our situation may change from day to day and year to year; it may go from better to worse, or worse to better. But our God is the same – yesterday, today, and forever. He deserves our praise and thanksgiving no matter what our present setting is. David did not reserve his blessing of God to the good times alone. He said: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Ps. 34:1)
David learned that life was filled with alternating seasons of joy and sorrow. One day we are on a victorious mountaintop, the next day we are in the valley of the shadow of death. The test of thanksgiving is not in a day of plenty; it is in a time of want. Paul and Silas sang praises to God in prison, at the midnight hour. (Acts 16:25) Such blessing of God is an antidote to bitterness, envy, and self-pity. When David was in a low place he encouraged himself in the Lord, saying: “… I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Ps. 42:5)
Yes, there will be causes for us to exclaim, “Thank you, Jesus!” We will yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. But don’t wait for that day to give God the thanks and praise He deserves. A life full of the Spirit is one where we are “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20)
Life may not always be good; but God always is. Give Him thanks today and every day, not only for what He has done, but for who He is.