Giving Thanks

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” [Psalm 50.23] 

Giving thanks. How easy it is to forget to give thanks on purpose.

On purpose? Yes, that is the context of the passage above. It would not be a sacrifice if it were not on purpose. In fact, because giving thanks is defined as a sacrifice, it would necessarily have to be something otherwise unnatural to human response and activity.

The type of "giving thanks" in the context above is indeed not natural, but done with purpose as if contrary to natural response in any circumstance. It is easy to give thanks when we are overwhelmed with good. But what about when we are overwhelmed with evil? Would that not make giving thanks a real sacrifice?

Father, help me to see the depth of the meaning of giving thanks as a sacrifice today. I don't feel very thankful today, so I can be sure any thanksgiving I offer will be a sacrifice...