THE BEST WAY TO SAY THANK YOU.

Let’s consider the next one of the things David said that throw light on our way as we pursue our life in Jesus.

Sometimes, in moments of worship, we fumble around, trying to find ways of expressing our gratitude to God for His great goodness to us. Somehow, we think that we can repay Him by some good work or gift. We are like the little child who picks mommy’s prize flower, the one she has been tending for so long, waiting to see its full glory in her garden, and gives it to her with anticipation of her pleasure. He thinks that she will be pleased with her own flower.

David expressed a similar desire, a longing to express his gratitude to God in some appropriate way. He contemplated giving God a gift, something that would adequately express his gratitude for God’s goodness to him. Is this really possible? Can we say “thank you” to God in some way that gives Him pleasure? Like mommy’s flower, we come with something He gave us. Whatever we give to Him is from Him anyway.

David realised that there was only one thing he could give to God that was from himself. There was something he could do that came from his own heart and desire that was not simply giving back to God which was already His.

Psalms 116:12-14 NIV

[12] “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? [13] I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. [14] I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”

What was David’s solution…his gift that would please God?

Here’s the thought. What is the best way to show appreciation for a thoughtful gift? Put it in a prominent place to admire it? Give it back to the giver as your gift to show your appreciation? Put it away in some safe place so it won’t get spoilt?

These are foolish ways to say thank you for a gift.

The best way to value a gift is to use it. The giver is pleased when he/she can see that the gift is fulfilling a purpose. The same with God! Imagine how glad He is when the benefits of His goodness are on display in our lives, when He sees the fruit of His Spirit growing in us. How happy He is when we learn to overcome the ravages of our sin nature, how delighted when love, peace, and unity flourish in our homes and in the fellowship of believers.

Think about the many ingredients in the “cup of salvation”. What a graphic way to express God’s goodness which has provided everything we need for “life and godliness . He has forgiven our sin. Drink that when we fall do wrong!

1 John 1:8-9 NIV
[8] “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

God has not only forgiven our sin but He has also taken away the desire to sin. Take a deep draught of the holiness He has orivided in an ungodly world.

1 John 3:6, 9 NIV
[6] “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him…
[9] No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”

God has provided infinite grace for all our weakness. Drink of His grace when we are unjustly treated.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
[9]” But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

He has given us everything we need to live godly lives in a corrupt world.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
[3] “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

He has promised to those who obey and endure to the end a grand welcome into His eternal kingdom and an indestructible inheritance which we will share with Jesus.

2 Peter 1:10-11 NIV
[10] “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, [11] and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

God’s cup of salvation is brimful of indescribable blessings, not to be admired but to be enjoyed as we slake our thirst from His divine gifts.

John 7:37-38 NIV
[37] “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

There is a second way in which we show our gratitude to God for His goodness. Imagine you are in trouble. A good friend tells you, “Just call on me. I’ll help you in any way I can.” Despite the offer, you struggle on alone, feeling isolated and abandoned, resentful and angry because no one has come to your aid. How foolish is that! What does your friend think, how does he feel when you brush his generous offer and then complain?

How often we treat our heavenly Father in the same way! Despite His many invitations to come to Him for help, we struggle on alone. What did David resolve to do?

I will “call on the name of the Lord.” I will invoke the one whose name enshrines everything I need in my situation. Is that not the way to honour God who has put us under His care, protection, and provision in every situation and circumstance?

A third way to express our gratitude to the Father is to do what we have promised.

“I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.”

I will publicly do what I said I would do, even if it costs me to do so.

Psalms 15:1-2, 4 NIV
[1] “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? [2] The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart…
[4…. who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…”

Ouch! That one hurts because we know how easy it is to change our mind when the promise we made, especially in an unguarded moment, begins to cost!

We can give God nothing but a response to His goodness by taking advantage of everything He promised and not reneging on our own promises to him.

Obedience to the Lord is the best and only way to express our gratitude to Him for all His goodness to us.

John 14:21 NLT
[21] Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

This was David’s way of returning thanks to the Lord for His goodness. We can add one more way we can honour the Lord for His goodness.

Psalms 50:14-15 NLT
[14] “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. [15] Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

This is the heart of our obedience to the Lord. It all begins with the expression of a grateful heart!!!!