Thursday, November 24, 2022

Listen to the Word

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  (Psalm 100:4-5)

This week's Scripture gives three specific traits of God for which we should praise him and give him thanks. Let's do a quick Hebrew lesson so we can be clear about why he deserves all the gratitude we can express on this Thanksgiving day.

God is good (Hebrew towb). The word has a broad range of meanings: pleasant, beautiful, excellent, valuable, morally right, and kind. God deserves our praise because he is all of the above.

God is a God of love (Hebrew chesed). This may be the richest word in the entire Old Testament, conveying the concept of undeserved favor, relentless devotion, and loyal love.

God is a God of faithfulness (Hebrew 'emuwnah). The word literally means "firmness," and it reminds us that God is steady, stable, and completely reliable.

Live the Word

Which of the three traits above do you find most compelling today? Praise God for being that kind of God. While you are at it, praise him for the other two characteristics as well!