“We will celebrate and praise You, LORD! You are good to us, and Your love never fails. No one can praise You enough for all of the mighty things You have done.”
Psalm 106:1-2
Ain’t that just the truth? I can’t even begin to praise Him for all that He’s done for me. How about you?
Maybe you find yourself like me, most of the time. I want to thank and praise my God, but what comes out of my mouth is so miniscule, so puny compared to what I really want to offer Him. Most often I feel like I have such a limited vocabulary and my words are so dull compared to the joy, peace and love I feel in my heart. I want to say “Thank You” for all that God’s done for me, but my words just aren’t enough. I want to say “Thank You” for all that God’s doing for me now, but my words just aren’t enough.
You see, when I think about all the ways things could be… I’m thankful. When I think about the ways things should be, I’m thankful. When I think about the fact that God didn’t have to provide for me my daily bread… that He didn’t have to protect me… that He didn’t have to heal me… that He didn’t have shine light on my life… that He didn’t have to strengthen me for another day… that He didn’t have to give me joy just in the nick of time… that He didn’t have to forgive me but He did anyway… all the time… every day… every moment of every day – I can’t help but be thankful!
Here’s what the Bible says,
“Our LORD, we are thankful, and we worship only You. We will tell the nations how glorious You are and what You have done.” —Isaiah 12:4
“Tell every nation on earth, ‘The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things!” —Psalm 96:3
“Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18
Yes, I realize that even if I couldn’t utter a word, I can still thank God. Even if I never mumble a word, I can still give Him thanks. Even if my mouth never moves again, I can still say, “Thank You, Lord!”
Because… when I raise my hands in praise, I’m telling God – thank You! When I cry tears of joy, I’m telling God – thank You. When I shout in the midst of my storm, I’m telling God – thank You. When I bow my head and dine in the presence of my enemies, I’m telling God – thank You.
When I look at life and seeing another door being closed, I’m telling God, “Thank You”.
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
Even if you feel like your words are stunted, microscopic, praise God with everything you have. “No one can praise You enough for all the mighty things You have done,” but I’d sure like to try! Wouldn’t you?
Father,
I give You all my praise and thanks today! You are an awesome God. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
—Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
