Gratitude

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Being grateful; acknowledging benevolence. God enjoys those who show gratitude. In Luke 17:17-18, Jesus recognizes that of the ten lepers that were healed, only one returned to give praise to God. He takes note of both the grateful and ungrateful.

Often, the greatest injustice in our lives is the one thing God has not done. However, what God is yet to accomplish should never supersede all that He has done thus far.

Psychologists state that having an attitude of gratitude opens the door to more relationships. It allows the individual to place more value on people. Gratitude improves physical health; ungrateful people are often unhealthy people. Gratitude also improves psychological health; failing to show gratitude leaves you feeling indebted to another. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. A grateful person appreciates others. Grateful people also sleep better. Gratitude improves self-esteem. Lastly, gratitude increases mental strength.

Joshua 6 depicts a literal symbolization of the seven levels of praise within the Hebrew language. For six days, Joshua and the Israelites surrounded their problem, the fortified city of Jericho, with praise. Each of the six days represents labor; the working days of life. The seventh day, is symbolic of favor; on the seventh day, labor is culminated through an expression of praise. The six days of labor and unrest is celebrated on the seventh day, the day of favor and rest.

There are seven words that denote praise within the Hebrew language. Halaal, the Hebrew word for praise; Yadah, means lifting hands. Ps. 63:1; Towdah, which means “an extension of the hand in adoration, avowal, or acceptance.” Psalm 50:14; Shabach means, “to shout, to address in a loud tone, to command, to triumph.” (Psalm 47:1) Barak meaning “to kneel down, to bless God as an act of adoration, to salute” Zamar, the sixth term means “to pluck the strings of an instrument, to sing, to praise; a musical word which is largely involved with joyful expressions of music with musical instruments. (Psalm 21:13) Lastly, Tehillah, means “the singing of halals, to sing or to laud; perceived to involve music, especially singing; hymns of the Spirit or praise.” (Psalm 22:3)

Praise is your receipt to God of what He is yet to do. Praise authenticates your faith; praise is a sign that you truly have faith.

Psalm 100 is an invitation to the whole Earth to give God gratitude. This psalm is comprised of seven commands. The psalmist beckons us to shout, to worship, to come, to enter, to give thanks and to praise Him. Recognizing and understanding that your possessions and life is a product of the mercy of God, places you in a position to be humble and yields gratitude.

The psalmist in 100:2 encourages us to “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Endeavour to serve, irrespective of the capacity or position of service, with gladness for attitude is everything. There is no ministry too small to serve in. Emotions and feelings are deceptive; despite what you feel, serve God and do it gladly.

Psalm 100:4 beckons us to “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name.” Enter connotes acceptance and creation of room. Enter suggests favor; it suggests being granted audience and a chance to plead a case. Enter into God’s gates with an attitude of appreciation and express it through thanksgiving. Be willing to express your worship; let God know you’re willing to express your reverence.

Give Him praise; give Him honor for what He has done. Expression breeds manifestation. Come to the King’s Courts where, life is revived, justice is dispensed, and there is liberty and a release from bondage. When you enter the King’s presence, your story changes. Only in the King’s presence can you recover what you have lost. Express your gratitude to God, enter His presence; give Him gratitude.