I am aware that this could be a rather long series but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I thought that for my own benefit I’d simply look up the word ‘thanks’ in the Bible and every time it was directed to God reflect on it and use it to remind myself of all the reasons I have to be grateful to God. I’m simply taking them as I find them as I work through a list.

Reason 1: Because God has done great things

“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; his judgements are in all the earth.”
(1 Chr 16:8-14)

There are quite  a number of reasons to give thanks to God here, His holiness, His strength, His wise judgement but the main reason is because God has done great things. The context for this song is the arrival of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem followed by wild celebrations. The ark was a physical reminder of all that God had done for His people, He had done wondrous things.

I don’t have the opportunity to often be in the presence of great power and strength, I’ve not met too many people that have done astonishing things. In my house I’m the strongest person by quite some way and I’m tired by 7pm. If I’m not careful God becomes reduced to the limits of my horizons.

Remembering that God has done great things is good for me. Awe and amazement are appropriate responses to the one who knows the stars by name, who knows the molecules that make up the mountains. Romans 1:20 tells me that if I have eyes to see, God’s creative attributes are on display everywhere I look. Creation is a great accomplishment, it is a reason to give thanks.

Of course to list God’s great achievements would be a fairly time consuming exercise but not a waste of time. Remembering them reminds me that God’s ability to do great things is part of what makes him great. Great athletes, scientists, pioneers and artists are great because they do what no one else has done or can do.

God can do what no one else can do, He can do far more than me and while this is obvious it is also easily forgotten. But why should I be grateful to God for His great power and astonishing miracles? I think the answer lies at the end of verse 14, because ‘He is the Lord our God’. He is not someone else’s God, He is not remote or unknown. He is not distant that I should simply be impressed but He is known to me that I should be grateful that the God I follow has power like no other, has greatness ascribed to Him for His marvellous deeds.

I thank God for He has done great things.