Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This morning I opened Romans and began reading the letter.  I was struck again by the beauty of the images Paul paints, describing the gospel as the power of God revealing God’s righteousness through faith for faith (see Romans 1:16-17).  The gospel is the power of God!  God’s righteousness is revealed through faith for faith!  Awesome!

Immediately after saying that, he turns to humanity’s wicked ways.  He describes people who possess the intellectual knowledge that God exists, yet they “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18), refuse to honor God as God (v.21) and fail to give thanks to God (v.21).  He continues writing, 

“they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:21-25

Claiming to be wise they were fools.  They exchanged the truth for a lie.  Their thinking was futile and their minds darkened.  Paul wrote the words 2,000 years ago, but sadly the words continue ringing true today, certainly within the dark recesses of my heart.

He begins his painfully accurate description of humanity saying we suppress the truth, refuse to honor God as God, and fail to give thanks to God.  Last week we discussed the thought that our highest purpose is glorifying God, which involves recognizing God for who He is and lifting Him up, revering Him, and honoring Him.  If we fail to honor Him as God, we demonstrate that we do not really see, accept or appreciate who He is.  Similarly, if we fail to give thanks to God, we demonstrate that we fail to appreciate that He is the Creator of all things, the Author of life, the Source of light and goodness, and not just in some grand global intellectual way – He is the author of your life and mine, breathing the breath of life into you and me.

So the psalmists, over and over and over, praise God and thank Him because He is who He is.  Derivatives of the word “thank” appear 63 times in the Psalms.  Here are a few:

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,
    and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.  Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:1-2

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
    your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
    Let your glory be over all the earth.  Psalm 57:9-11

Through the psalms we see praise, exultation and thanksgiving tied to a heart recognizing God for who He is.  A heart recognizing God for who He is praises, thanks and glorifies God!  No wonder God, speaking through Paul, urges us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Once we see Him as the Author of life, filled with goodness, righteousness, faithfulness, love and light, how could we do anything less?  

Does Paul’s description of humanity’s wicked ways carry a hint of truth in your heart?  I urge you to join me exploring the ways we foolishly claim wisdom or exchange truth for lies.  God Almighty, the Lord of lords, the Creator of all things, the Author of life came to earth and He offers new life to everyone through Christ Jesus.  The gospel is the power of God!  God’s righteousness is revealed through faith for faith!  Awesome!  

How might you make the psalms your song, your praise, your prayer?  May you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is fertile soil for His seeds to grow, and may you truly embody the spirit of worship, praise and thanksgiving.  Amen.