Part One of Four Focal Points of Thankfulness
By Kathryn Breckenridge
The LORD passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV)
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the time with family, friends, and eating my favorite foods. I love that people have more of a concentrated attitude of gratitude. While we should be thanking the Lord and people throughout the year, this season shines a spotlight on being grateful if we choose to count our blessings.
As I reflect on giving thanks, I plan to focus on four areas, one each Thursday in November. They are:
- Thankfulness to God for who He is
- Thankfulness for what God has done for me and others
- Thankfulness for family and friends
- Thankfulness for growth that God is working on in my life
Please join me in counting your blessings as I count mine. I would love for you to share in the comments.
Thank You, God, for Who You Are!
In Moms in Prayer, a prayer ministry, I learned to start prayer in adoration and praise for who God is. It’s easy to thank Him for what He has done, for He does so much for us. Studying who God is reveals so much about His character, His faithfulness, and His love. Let’s look at some of His attributes and character found in Exodus 34:6-7.
Merciful – God is full of mercy, compassion, and a willingness to forgive.
Gracious–God shows undeserved kindness, favor, and compassion to us. We have no claim or right to it. His grace is an action.
Slow to anger – He has so much patience with us!
God abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness. His love is unconditional. We don’t earn it or lose it.
God forgives us of our sins through Chrit’s blood (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus is our Savior (John 3:16).
Other passages in Scripture reveal that God the Creator, the Giver of Life, and the One true and eternal God (Deuteronomy 33:27). God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). He is wise and the source of wisdom (Proverbs 2). There is so much more to know of God, more than we can know even in a lifetime!
Let’s thank God for who He is.
Heavenly Father, thank you for being you. Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank you for your compassion and your forgiveness. Holy and Wise God, I’m grateful that you take time and loving interest in us, your creation. I love you. Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to show us the way to you and to save us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
# # #
Thank you for reading my devotional. I’m thankful for you. I pray that my devotionals will help you grow closer to Jesus. Please join me next week as we look into having an attitude of gratitude with Thanksgiving: Thank You, God, for What You Have Done! ~ Kathryn
Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
