FEBRUARY 02, 2015
For
Our Health
Oh, give thanks to
the Lord! —1 Chronicles 16:8
Read: 1 Chronicles 16:7-14
According to a
prominent Duke University Medical Center researcher, “If thankfulness were a
drug, it would be the world’s best-selling product with [health benefits] for
every major organ system.”
For some, being
thankful means simply living with a sense of gratitude—taking time to recognize
and focus on the things we have, instead of the things we wish we had. The
Bible takes the idea of thankfulness to a deeper level. The act of giving
thanks causes us to recognize the One who provides our blessings (James 1:17).
David knew that God
was responsible for the safe delivery of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem
(1 Chron. 15:26). As a result, he penned a song of gratitude that centered on
God instead of simply expressing his delight in an important event. The ballad
began: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds
among the peoples!” (16:8). David’s song went on to rejoice in God’s greatness,
highlighting God’s salvation, creative power, and mercy (vv.25-36).
Today we can be
truly thankful by worshiping the Giver instead of the gifts we enjoy. Focusing
on the good things in our lives may benefit our bodies, but directing our
thanks to God benefits our souls.
Gratitude is our natural response to God’s grace.
Nothing so takes the heart out of a person as
ingratitude. Gratitude is not only the greatest of
virtues, but the parent of all the others. —Cicero
True thanksgiving emphasizes the Giver rather than the gifts.
INSIGHT:
The ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s
covenant and presence with His people (Ex. 25:17-22), was neglected by Saul and
left abandoned in the Benjamite town of Kirjath Jearim for 20 years (1 Sam.
7:2). After David became king, one of the first things he did was to bring the
ark back to Jerusalem (1 Chron. 13:3-14; 15:1-28; 2 Sam. 6:1-3). To commemorate
the ark’s return, David composed a song of worship celebrating God’s presence
and exalting God’s power (1 Chron. 16:8-36). Asaph (v.7) was one of David’s
three music directors (see 1 Chron. 25:1) who sounded the bronze cymbals as the
ark was moved into Jerusalem (15:16-19).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012