Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed

MEDITATION AND PRAYER - KEYS TO MAINTAINING THANKFULNESS

How can we imitate Paul's fine example in cultivating and expressing gratitude? Like Paul, we need to meditate on what Jehovah has done for us personally.  (Psalm 116:12) If you were asked, 'What blessings from are you grateful for?  How would you answer? Would you include  your precious relationship with Jehovah? Or the forgiveness that you receive  because of you faith in Christ's ransom sacrifice?  Would you relate the names of brothers and sisters who have stood by you during various difficult trials?  Of course, your beloved marriage mate or your precious children would not escape such beautiful blessings from your loving Father, Jehovah, will fill your heart with gratitude and will move you to give thanks every day. -Read Psalm 92:1, 2. 

When we have our blessings firmly fixed in mind and heart, we are ready to pray to Jehovah and offer thanksgiving.  (Psalm 95:2;  100:4, 5)  Many view prayer as merely a way to ask God for things.  We, however, know that Jehovah is pleased when we express thanks for what we have. The Bible contains numerous heartwarming prayers of thanksgiving, including those offered by Hannah and Hezekiah.  (1 Samuel 2:1-10; Isaiah 38:9-20) So imitate those faithful servants who showed a grateful spirit.  Yes, thank Jehovah in prayer for the blessings that you have,  (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18)  The benefits from doing so are many. Your spirits will be lifted, you will grow in love for Jehovah, and you draw ever closer to him. -James 4:8. 

Why should we remain alert to the danger of losing our appreciation for Jehovah's goodness? Because we have inherited a tendency to be unthankful.  Consider: Our original parents Adam and Eve, were placed in a paradise  garden. All their needs were filled, and they had the prospect of living forever in peace.  (Genesis 1:28) But they did not appreciate their blessings.  they greedily  desired more. As a result, they lost everything.  (Genesis 3:6, 7,  17-19) Surrounded by an unthankful world, we too could begin to lose sight of all that Jehovah has done for us. We could begin to take our friendship  with him for granted. We might lose appreciation for the privilege that we have to be a part of our worldwide brotherhood.  We could could become absorbed in things of this world that will soon pass away.  (1 John 2:15-17)  To avoid the downward spiral, we want to meditate on our blessings and regularly thank Jehovah for the privilege we have of being his people. - Read Psalm 27:4. 

Next time: Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed - WHEN COPING WITH TRIALS

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015