Give thanks

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Psalm 107:8 NRSV

"Don't forget to say thank you."

"Did you say thank you?"

"Say thank you."

How often did we hear an adult, usually mom or dad, remind us about giving thanks? If we have children or grandchildren, how often did we do the same?

I taught for 16 years in a School of Management. Who would have thought that those who say "thank you" gain a competitive advantage! Why? Because saying "thank you in business can made or break a relationship because appreciation goes a long way toward forging successful bonds." (www.golocalprov.com/lifestyle/modern-manners-etiquette-saying-thank-you)

How about the other side of the coin? "They didn't even say thanks." "Well, that's gratitude for you."

Have you ever felt this? A lack of appreciation? That might be a feeling we all can understand.

The synonyms for lack of appreciation are interesting and recognizable: ingratitude, thanklessness, ungratefulness, unappreciativeness, unthankfulness, thoughtless, etc.

So why would we give thanks? Is it just a matter of good manners and etiquette? Now there is nothing wrong with good manners and etiquette but is there something deeper?

As we noted being thankful helps bond us. Psychologists Sara Algoe and Baldwin Way found that gratitude leads to better relationships. (https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/why-giving-thanks-is-good.html)

Giving thanks is about gratitude. Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. The Psalmist knew the power of giving thanks, long before business and psychologists did. The Psalmist identifies the basis for giving thanks is our gratitude for God's steadfast love (ḥesed). God's ḥesed is his faithfulness to us.

Indeed, the psychologists are on to something in that thankfulness leads to better relationships. But again, the Psalmist is way ahead of the game. From creation itself we have been in a relationship with God (Genesis 1). As our creator, God is also our sustainer.

The Psalmist is very aware of this truth. Psalm 107 is a celebration and a call to gratitude by giving thanks to the God who brought Israel out of bondage. The bondage was not Egypt but Babylon. Israel was powerless to free itself by God who is in relationship with Israel, redeems Israel, calling the exiles from all the lands, east and west, north and south (vv. 2 – 7).

The hidden truth is that our lives are not sustained by us but by God's loving kindness. It is, as the Psalmist puts it, " . . . his wonderful works to mankind." (v. 8b) Our best life is the life grounded in our gratitude to God. Our recognizing that but for God, we would be awash in chaos spiraling toward destruction.

When we properly recognize and express our gratitude to God, giving thanks and gratefulness to others comes quite easily. We see God at work all around us and particularly in those with whom we encounter. Our striving gives way to a quiet confidence that our life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1 NRSV