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Today our hearts are fixed on thankfulness. We recall people who have influenced our lives, events that have shaped us and journeys that have brought us to the place we find ourselves now. We think, remember, then share what fills us with gratitude this day….

And it is good.

But as I’ve been thinking and praying through what to write….my mind can’t stop wandering back to Psalm 111.

I recently started memorizing this passage–and I don’t believe it’s coincidence that it would fall over the Thanksgiving holiday. A passage that starts with, “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart…” (If you haven’t read this chapter, I’d encourage you to stop right now and do so. It’s ten short verses brimming with reasons for thanks! CLICK HERE)!

As with any passage in the Bible, the central focus is always the Lord! So I pulled out my journal and pen, and scratched down the question, “What is said about God?” (Are you ready for the Psalmist response?)

-His works are great! (verse 2)
-His works are FULL of majesty and FULL of splendor (verse 3)
-His righteousness lasts forever (verse 3)
-He causes us to remember His works (verse 4)
-He is gracious (verse 4)
-He is merciful (verse 4)
-He provides (verse 5)
-He remembers His covenant (verse 5)
-He shows His people the power of His works (verse 6)
-The works of His hands are faithful (verse 7)
-The works of His hands are just (verse 7) 
-His precepts are trustworthy (verse 7) 
-His precepts are established forever (verse 7) 
-His precepts are performed with faithfulness and uprightness (verse 8)
-He sent redemption (verse 9)
-He commanded His covenant forever (verse 9) 
-His name is holy! (verse 9)
-His name is awesome (verse 9)
-His praise endures forever (verse 10)

If you read that fast…read it again. Maybe a little slower this time. Can you feel your heart filling with thankfulness? The most awesome God of the universe–yet most gentle God of our hearts–is described as gracious, as merciful. He is provider! His works are great! His name is both awesome…and holy!

Then I began thinking and my pen began to work again. “What are the verbs in the passage that we are supposed to be doing?” And oh friends how sweet the response from Scripture! We are to:

Praise (the Lord)
Give thanks (with our whole heart!)
Study (His works)
Delight (in His works!)
Remember (what He has done)
Fear (Him or stand in awe!)
Look (and see the power of His works)
Trust (in His word & commands)
Praise (the Lord! It endures forever!)

I wholeheartedly believe that the more we look and ponder and stand in awe of our God, of His works in our lives, of His character—–thanksgiving will flow! And it won’t stop! We see Him and we praise! We study His works and we praise! We remember and delight in the ways He’s worked in our hearts and changed our lives and we praise! We eagerly look to see His power and we praise! We trust Him and His promises and His words and yet again, we praise!!!

My heart-my whole heart-is wrapped up and around these wonderful verses! So friends, today as we stop and speak of the things we are thankful for……may these verses gently turn your gaze to Someone greater. To His works that are far beyond our power. To His plan that is vast and deep and perfect.

Lets be lost in thanks to Him together today.
And every day after.