Title: The Spiritual Meaning of Gratitude
Contents
spiritual meaning of gratitude
Psalm 50:23
Anyone can be grateful for the things to be grateful for. Gratitude is about going beyond egocentricity. This is because selfish people make judgments in relation to their own personal interests, directly or indirectly. Complaining is a shortcut for the devil to steal our hearts. In the process of Adam and Eve's fall, the devil successfully sows complaints in his heart. “Did God really say not to eat from every tree in the garden?” high distortion. Dissatisfaction with God and complaints are rebellion against God and lead to sin.
In Numbers 21, the people were heartbroken as they went on their way. And they blame God and Moses. Why are you leading us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? Judging by what you see. The community complains that I don't like it. The complaints of the heart that have lost gratitude are expressed in words and are killed by a fiery serpent. God's people must correct their complaints.
our belief. The problem isn't that I can't do it, it's that I don't believe in God. “Do not grumble like them, for some of them grumbled and perished with the destroyer.” (1 Corinthians 10:10)
The spiritual meaning of thanksgiving is the key to receiving God's power, salvation, and grace. Grief is the devil's tool. There are many sacrifices offered to God. Among them, the sacrifices that glorify God are sacrifices of thanksgiving. The sacrifice offered as thanks shows God's salvation.
In the days of Jehoshaphat in Judah, the combined forces of Moab, Ammon, and Maon invaded. Jehoshaphat prayed to God with all the people in trouble (2 Chronicles 20:12). Then God spoke through Jahaziel. ‘Do not be afraid or be dismayed by this great crowd, for this war does not belong to you, but to God’ (2 Chronicles 20:15). Jehoshaphat then organizes a choir of praise. They put on holy clothes and go out in front of the soldiers singing praises. “Give thanks to the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 20:21) Then the children of Ammon and Moab rose up and struck down the inhabitants of Mount Seir to annihilation. Giving thanks and praise to God becomes an opportunity for God to work. Why are you complaining and resenting? Because of unbelief against God. This is because thanks and praise are acts of faith that depend on God.
In a gold mine, gold miners see gold. But those who only look at stones cannot mine gold. Being surrounded by the many stones and rubble of the world and resenting yourself is exhausting yourself.
Paul and Silas were put in prison. Isn't that a condition of resentment and complaint? But what did you do there? “At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and praising God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). They prayed together and sang hymns to God. The prisoners listened. I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night, and I did not worry, worry, complain, or complain. When you are in pain and when you are in pain, if you praise and give thanks, then miracles will happen. “At this moment, there was a great earthquake, and the courthouse moved, and immediately all the doors were opened, and all the bindings of everyone were taken off.” (Acts 16:26) The courthouse moved, and all the doors were opened, and all the bindings of everyone were taken off. Furthermore, he saved a jailer who was about to commit suicide and saved his life.
The present is not everything. If you make hasty and hasty decisions, judge what you see and hear, and complain, it is not faith. If Paul and Silas had been complaining and slandering in the prison, the prisoner next to them would not have been rude. Gratitude and praise bring us true spiritual freedom and become the power of God's work and gospel witness.
Those who glorify God are those who offer sacrifices in thanksgiving. We cannot glorify God without abandoning human complaints. Gratitude depends on where our focus is. When the focus is clear, thanks abound. Blurry out of focus, no thanks. Focus on God. The Bible says, “Give thanks to the Lord. He is good, and his mercy endures forever.” When I see my work from God's side, I am overflowing with gratitude. But when I see God's work from my side, I am overflowing with complaints. Therefore, believers should focus on God's promises. Luther said, "The devil's world has no thanks." I hope that you will become a grateful saint and glorify God.