The words of the song go, "Give thanks, with a grateful heart. . . " I have often wondered about this repetition. I mean after all, can I give thanks with any other way? Is there any way to give thanks without having true gratitude?
As I think about thanksgiving, I note that the words to the song are not the words of Scripture. Of course we are called to have an attitude of gratitude and we are called to give thanks. But the grateful heart is always assumed. It is not a requirement for true thanksgiving, it is assumed. In fact, the motivation and reasons for true thanksgiving are always given to us in Scripture - the character and nature of our God. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. . . " We give thanks because of the character and nature of our God. This is what steadies us as believers. We are not giving thanks because we feel good. We are not giving thanks because we like what is happening to us all the time. We are not giving thanks because our God is constantly meeting our felt needs. No, we give thanks because of the character of God. And God does not change. My heart needs only be aligned to the truth of who God is! Give thanks.
