Giving thanks to God is characteristic of His people. It is an acknowledgement of God's salvation, and as such, is natural for them. But 'how' this thanks was expressed was not left up to man, any more than 'how' salvation occurred. Both were as God purposed and instructed. God, in His grace, offers to man a covenant relationship, stating the terms, while man, accepts the relationship by complying with the terms of that covenant. Salvation occurs as God's offer of salvation is accepted upon God's terms. So also is this the case in the giving of thanks. God has revealed in the covenant, 'how' His people express their giving of thanks.
There were many ways that thanksgiving was expressed under the Old Covenant. Whether by a sacrifice (Lev. 22:29); through song (Psalm 69:30); or by prayer (Phil. 4:6), it was always as God had commanded in the covenant terms. Another important characteristic in the giving of thanks, is that it was 'willingly' offered (cf. Lev. 22:29).
Under the New Covenant, we also find that the giving of thanks was always in connection with their salvation. As such, it would be as God, who had provided their salvation, decreed in the terms of the new covenant. So, again, it was not as "they saw fit", or guided by emotions, but as commanded of God. Also, it was not to be under compulsion, but willingly.
~ "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving" (1 Tim. 4:4).
~ "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 4:15).
~ “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).
God has not left us “in the dark” as to how to ‘thank’ Him anymore than He has left it up to us as to how to worship Him (see Deut. 12:30-32; Matt. 15:1-9; John 4:24 etc.); or how to live godly in Christ (2 Peter 1:3). He has revealed and taught us by His grace (Titus 2:11-12) how to do both.
Thankfulness is really a discipline that needs to be valued, for its spiritual benefits. But like anything that is of value, it needs to be exercised (i.e., nurtured AND expressed). That it is to be expressed, is clear, but it needs to be equally clear that it MUST be expressed in an obedient way. This is seen in that God has declared that our zeal must be “according to knowledge” (Rom. 10:1-3). Thus, the ‘nurtured’ aspect of giving thanks must be by our obedience. Being truly thankful begins with recognizing how entirely dependent we are upon God’s mercy and provision, His ability to provide, and our confidence that He will (James 1:17ff).
When our thanks is expressed in obedience, an ‘on-going’ benefit is that pride will be rooted out of our life. If not, pride will dominate in our life (James 4:6). The Bible teaches that thanksgiving and obedience are inseparable, for TRUE giving (expressing) to God thanks, is ONLY acceptable by God when it is in obedience to His will. This is seen from the 50th psalm. In condemning His own people Israel, God said: “Offer…a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High; call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” But to the wicked God said, “What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.” It is clear that obedience and thankfulness are inseparable.
The only acceptable expression of thankfulness is in giving God what God most desires, and that, according to His own declaration, is obedience. Through the prophet Joel, God said in chapter 2:13, “…rend your heart and not your garments.” In Psalm 51:17 we read, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
THIS is what God wants from man. Let us return to Him in obedience, and recognize His rightful authority to rule over us. What He promised (and did for) Judah, He will do for all who will ‘trust and obey’. God said He, “let them find Him”. (2 Chron. 15:15) Jesus taught in John 7:17, “If any man’s will is to ‘do’ the Father’s will, he shall know of the doctrine…” (John 7:17).
Obedience will always be blessed of God. As Moses told them, “The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes…for our good always…and it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment…” (Deut. 6:24-25). Let us give ‘true’ thanks…”trust and obey”.
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