Scripture:
Psalms 106, 107, 118 & 136 all begin with these words –
“O, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Psalms 77:11-12: “I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old”
Reflection:
Thanksgiving is almost here, and in my house, the preparations are in full swing. My wife is busy organizing dinner plans, deciding who will bring what, and making sure we don’t forget those small but essential items—like the cranberry sauce! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for family, but more importantly, it’s a sacred opportunity to reflect on and remember the goodness of God in our lives.
In Scripture, God commands us to remember at least 213 times. It’s the most repeated command in the Bible. That alone should emphasize how critical it is for every disciple of Christ to prioritize remembering God’s faithfulness.
Yet, if you’re anything like me, you might rarely pause to intentionally “work out” your memory muscle during your devotional time. We often hear about muscle memory, but how often do we strengthen our “spiritual memory muscle”?
Imagine how much richer and healthier our souls would be if we intentionally cultivated the habit of remembering God’s goodness. Doing so not only deepens our appreciation for His work in our lives but also reflects His beauty more fully in how we live and respond to life’s challenges.
King David provides a powerful example of this in Psalm 34:1 –
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
This verse wasn’t written in a season of ease or comfort—it was composed during a time of extreme danger. David was fleeing for his life from King Saul, hiding in a dark cave in Adullam (1 Samuel 21:10–22:1). Yet, even in that bleak moment, David turned his heart toward heaven. By faith, he penned a psalm of gratitude and praise, using the Hebrew alphabet to structure the verses. This clever method made it easier for David and his men to memorize and recite these words, anchoring their souls in God’s goodness—even in the darkness of the cave.
David’s example shows us that remembering and thanksgiving are deeply connected—like a ribbon tying together a precious gift. As we approach this Thanksgiving, let’s intentionally exercise our memory muscles. Reflect on God’s goodness, both in the big moments and the small, and respond with gratitude in every circumstance.
Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
This Thanksgiving, let us remember and give thanks. May our hearts overflow with gratitude as we reflect on God’s unfailing goodness.
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