A Life of Thanks-GivingSample

### The #1 Reason to Give Thanks What is the number one reason for us to give thanks to the Lord? \- Is it because He is our Rock and Refuge? \- or because He is our Creator and Sustainer? \- or because He has been our Shield and Strength? \- or because He is our Shepherd and we are His Sheep? The Old Testament has a repeating refrain: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good: His love endures forever. " This phrase appears 41 times in the NIV translation of the Old Testament. The first time is in David's "thank you" song which we looked at yesterday. In the same section we're told that certain people were chosen and designated to give thanks to the Lord because His Love endures forever (1 Chron 16:34+41). The phrase occurs three times at the consecration of Solomon's temple and is the theme song of the choir Jehoshaphat puts in front of His army. It comes up again in the Psalms (100, 106, 107, 118 (5x), 136(26x)) and in Jeremiah 33:11, where it is the theme-song of the restored community. Psalm 136 is a call and response psalm where the worship leader offers a phrase that calls the community to worship or to notice one of God's qualities. After each call, the worshipping community responds: "His Love endures forever!" You might think that it would be tedious to repeat that one phrase over and over - but, if you think about it, God's enduring love really is the #1 reason for us to give thanks. Try going through the day and every time you have/need a moment to be thank-full, just whisper to yourself " His love endures forever. " You will see that 26 times isn't too much!