Thank God

 

Have you ever heard these words before? Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell everyone what he has done. Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.

We sing these words after Communion. It’s based on a passage from Mark’s Gospel (5:1-20). After Jesus healed a man, he wanted to join Jesus, but Jesus told the man to return to his family and tell them what God did for him.

I mention this because in our Psalm today (138), the first line is, “I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart.” Later, we hear, “All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD.”

Have you ever thought that kings and rulers thank God? If so, for what? Perhaps peace in their land or a lot of crops. Have you ever given thanks to the Lord with your whole heart? I am sure you are thankful for many things: a good home where you eat healthy meals and enjoy rest safely at night. Perhaps you thank God for your family members and friends, that your parents have good jobs and your brothers and sisters enjoy good health.

How about the gift of love? Have you ever thanked God for the gift of love? Love was put into your heart by God. St. Paul tells us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” You will find that verse in Romans 5:5. Take some time today and look up that verse, and keep in mind that every time your parents tell you that they love you and every time you say the same to them, God put that love in you. So, thank God for that gift too.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.