Going Deeper With Our Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! As you are celebrating today I want you to know that YOU are one of the reasons I am rejoicing. I love being surrounded by a community of people who want to grow, to know God more, and to live out their faith. One of the greatest gifts we have from God is the people who are walking this journey with us. And each of you my friends is a treasured gift straight from God.

Earlier this week, I was reading in Psalm 111 and as soon as I read verse 2 I knew I wanted to share it with you all. Why? Because on a day like today called Thanksgiving, it is relatively easy to remember to say thank you, but in our giving thanks, it is still easy to miss out on all that God has done.

For me, 2018 has been a very full year. A year of change, a year of good things, and a year of challenges. As the year is closing out I keep sensing God saying, “Amber, don’t miss this! Don’t miss all that I have done and all that I am doing.” So when I read this Psalm, I had an “aha moment”.

Listen to what the psalmist says, “Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them.” (Psalm 111:1-2 NASB)

As I read, it was like the word studied was jumping off the page. Why? Because study implies so much more than just saying thank you. Being a student takes hard work and dedication. It takes concentrated effort over a period of time.

I wanted to know more, so I looked up studied. It comes from the Hebrew darash. Darash can also be translated as seek, inquire, require, or search. But what is really interesting is that in the Hebrew language it implies rubbing, beating, or trampling. It gives the idea of going somewhere frequently, asking, demanding, or applying oneself to follow or practice.

You will find this word used throughout the Old Testament talking about seeking God, investigating wrongdoing, searching for a person of influence, or pleading someone’s case. It carries a sense of urgency. There is a refusal to give up. There is a desire to know more or see results.

The truly grateful person is a student of God’s goodness.

Think about that for a minute. In order to fully appreciate what God is doing – we have to study His works. We have to frequently set aside time to examine His goodness. We have to really understand and absorb His faithfulness.

Does that describe you?

Today, as you give thanks pause a little longer. Study God’s goodness. Rejoice in the depth and detail of what He has done. Delight in His work.