Here we are at the end of the year!  A time to reflect on the work of the Lord in our lives.  It is a time to give thanks for the  many blessings God has bestowed on each one.  And it is a time to give thanks for the  many growing pains (opportunities) to come to know Christ Jesus in a greater measure.
 
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 107:1-2,
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”
 
And in Psalm 92:1-2,
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your loving kindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night.”
 
Giving thanks is fundamental for the Believer, as the Psalmist says,
‘Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…’
And,
Praising God is a foundational characteristic of the Believer!
‘To declare Your loving kindness…and Your faithfulness…’
 
Concerning thanksgiving and thankfulness, Scripture says,
“Offer to God thanksgiving, 
And pay your vows to the Most High.”  Psalm 50:14
 
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:17
 
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18
 
In Revelation 7:12 we hear the great multitude saying,
“Amen!  Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.  Amen.”
 
Concerning praise to God, Scripture tells us to--
Praise in song:
“Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.”  Psalm 9:11
 
Praise with musical instruments:
“Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.”  Psalm 33:2-3
 
Praise universally:
“Let the people praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!…  Psalm 67:3-4
 
Praise continually:
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”  Hebrews 13:5
 
1 Peter 2:9-10 gives us the reason why:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God…”
 
It is so easy and joyous to give thanks and sing praises to our gracious Mighty God when we are blessed abundantly with all good things.  But we are also called to give thanks and to praise God when things are hard and we are suffering!  However, when things are going well there is a danger that we may be drawn off holy ground and get involved with temporal rather than spiritual things.  It is when circumstances are hard and painful that we keep our eyes on Christ and seek the leading of the Holy Spirit.  
 
Do not look at the hard circumstances as a stumbling block, but as a stepping stone. These are the times of growth and grounding in our Lord.  Therefore it is a time of thanksgiving and praise.
 
Let us desire greater growth and grounding in the coming year.  Our trust is in our God who is loving, wise, good, gracious, merciful, and kind; He deserves all praise, thanksgiving and glory!  Amen