Praise of Thanksgiving and Fruit of Happiness
(Psalm 50:14)

When we look around us, there are many people who have lost thanksgiving. There are people who think that thanksgiving will damage their positions. On the other hand, there are people who do good deeds and expect thanksgiving in their hearts. Those people resent, complain, and store hatred in their storage of hearts when things run counter to their expectations. We who have received boundless grace of God must live a life that always gives thanks.

1. Thanksgiving that even God thinks glorious

1) When we sincerely give thanks to God, God is pleased. (Ps. 136:24~26)
2) When we go before God and sacrifice thank offerings, God thinks this is glorious. So He answers and delivers us from every trouble. (Ps. 50:14~15)
3) When Paul and Silas gave thanks to and praised God in prison in Philippi, God made everybody’s chains to come loose and gave freedom and liberation. (Acts 16:25~26)

2. Thanksgiving that makes life happy

1) We need to think about Jesus’ suffering on the cross and always give thanks. (John 3:14~15)
2) If we give overflowing thanks, we receive blessings of answers. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil. 4:6~7)

3. Complaint that leads one’s life to ruin

1) Due to complaints of Adam and Eve, a life of humanity was led to destruction. (Gen. 3:16~17)
2) The Israelites could not enter the land of Canaan because they complained. (Num. 14:27~29)

Conclusion

In the old days, pumps were used often to get water. If there is no water in the pump, water cannot come up even if you pump the water. If you put a little bit of water in the pump and pump the water, you can get a large amount of water. This is called priming water. It is the same with thanksgiving. If we give thanks, we can have more things that we can be thankful for. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” When you give thanks to and praise God, the fruit of happiness will bear in life.