Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed

"HOW MANY THINGS YOU HAVE DONE, O JEHOVAH"

If we are to cultivate a grateful heart and maintain it, we must acknowledge and meditate appreciatively on our blessings from Jehovah and carefully consider his acts of loyal love.  When the psalmist did so, he was awed by the many wonderful things that Jehovah had done. -Read Psalm 40:5; 107:43. 

We can learn much from the apostle Paul about cultivating gratitude.  Evidently, he meditated on his blessings, for he frequently  expressed heartfelt thanks.  Paul well knew that he had been "a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man."  Hence, he gave thanks that despite his past  sinful conduct, God and Christ had shown him mercy and had entrusted him  with a ministry.  (Read 1 Timothy 1:12-14) Paul also deep appreciated his fellow Christians and often thanked Jehovah for their fine qualities and faithful service.  (Philippians 1:3-5,.7;  1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3) And when Paul faced trialsome situations, he was quick  to thank Jehovah for the timely support that he received from his spiritual brothers.  (Acts 28:15; 2 Corinthians 7:5-7) It is not surprising, therefore, that Paul's writings encourage Christians:  "Show yourselves thankful . . ., encouraging one another with psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs sung with gratitude." -Colossians 3:15-17.

Next time: Give Thanks to Jehovah and Be Blessed - MEDITATION AND PRAYER -KEYS TO MAINTAINING THANKFULNESS

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015