Feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands? Psalm 100 reminds us to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving, finding joy in daily blessings. This devotional plan will help you slow down, notice the simple gifts around you, and give thanks for God’s faithfulness. Over the next few days, we’ll explore how gratitude deepens our connection with God and brings greater peace and joy. Let’s journey together in practicing a heart of gratitude!
Words of Hope
Day 1
Scripture: Psalms 100
Gratitude
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (v. 4)
Pastor, author, and speaker Max Lucado has defined gratitude as this: “More aware of what you have than what you don’t. Recognizing the treasure in the simple—a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset. Relishing in the comfort of the common.”
Often I feel like life is a race, one in which my pursuit, and even capture, of the next “important” thing or accomplishment still leaves me wanting. Technological advances have brought many of us countless personal benefits. However, I believe that continual access to work email, regular text alerts, location tracking, and the expectations that accompany these conveniences may prevent us from slowing down, “entering his gates” and giving God praise for his daily gifts to us. We might rush through life too fast to take joy in a hug. We may not ever pause to marvel that the barren ground of winter will soon bear our favorite spring flowers. Or we miss the beauty of creation before us because we’re too concerned about getting the best photo of the sunset to share on social media.
Over the next few days I look forward to journeying with you as we consider the importance of living gratefully and how this relates to the ways we glorify God. Practicing gratitude increases our joy and inner peace and bears witness to all around us of God’s faithfulness. Let us all give thanks to him and praise his name!
As you pray, thank God for three daily gifts in your life.
Day 2
Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10
Giving in Gratitude
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone. (v. 10)
On Thanksgiving Day we pause and reflect on God’s provision throughout another year, and his enduring faithfulness to us always. Families and friends gather for holiday meals, and often share the things they’re most thankful for. Thanksgiving is also a time when many people choose to bless those in need in their community by donating to a local food pantry or serving a meal to the residents of a nearby homeless shelter.
The Thanksgiving holiday inspires an expression of gratitude through giving, but hopefully for Christians this is not just an annual occurrence. According to Paul’s charge to the church in Galatia, we should give gratefully and “do good” (v. 10) every chance we get. In Galatians 6:6, believers are encouraged to “enter into a generous common life” in the community of faith (The Message).
It can be hard to exercise generosity toward others in seasons when our finances or time may be stretched. It may be tempting to hold our resources tightly when we’re fearful or uncertain. However, as believers in Jesus, we’re not called to that. When we remain steadfast through gifts of time, talent, and treasure, the fruit of faithfulness is a deeper reliance on God and, ultimately, a deeper gratitude for his good gifts to us. Paul’s encouragement is this: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (v. 9).
As you pray, ask God to lead you to those in need of your unique gifts.
Day 3
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34
Gratitude Takes Focus
The eye is the lamp of the body. (v. 22)
The closing verses of Matthew 6 are one of my favorite portions of Scripture. The reminders there of God’s all-encompassing care for us for today, for tomorrow, and forever are a comfort in both the best of days and the most challenging times.
This part of Matthew’s gospel from the Sermon on the Mount also provides me with a poignant nudge about how my focus affects my inner peace and my level of daily gratitude. Perhaps it does for you too.
If we’re honest, the desire for money or position may have a regular stronghold on our decision-making. We may be very concerned about looking good in the neighborhood. If so, the shine of our earthly treasure may blind us to the real blessings of life. If not money, we might live in fear about the “what ifs” around the corner; expending a lot of energy seeking to control situations for what we perceive will be the best possible outcome. Perhaps, and sadly, a deep need to know what’s coming next means missing the chance to be grateful for the blessings right in front of us.
Consider your personal focus. How are you using the “lamp” of your body to influence your sense of gratitude and inner peace? It’s good to know we can return as often as needed to Jesus’ redirection and reassurance: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33).
As you pray, ask God to help you focus on him and the treasure of heaven, not the things of this world.
Day 4
Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-18
In Times of Plenty
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (v. 5)
It’s easy to want more, isn’t it? More money. More things. More of what someone else has. And if not more, maybe it’s a consistent desire for an upgrade of one of your most prized possessions—something just a little better than what you have.
In all of our inherent wanting, it might be hard to recognize when we’re in seasons of plenty. Perhaps instead of seeing what we want next, we need to celebrate the goodness and abundance of God today.
Two well-known Bible readings remind us of God’s providence, his “plenty” for us. We do not achieve this on our own. Psalm 23, which contains some of the most memorized verses in the Bible, says, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (v. 5). Proverbs 3 offers a similar image: “then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (v. 10). This abundance is in response to honoring the Lord with our wealth (v. 9). These verses precede some important reminders on the value of acquiring wisdom above all else (vv. 13-18).
When we are given much, how can we glorify God? By doing so with gratitude for his choice to bless us and living in the humility that we don’t achieve plenty on our own. It’s also important that we remain aware of how we are called to share with others in our lives who may be in want (v. 27).
As you pray, ask God to help you live well, honoring his good gifts.
Day 5
Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6
In Times of Need
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (v. 3)
Today’s reading takes us back to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had a captive audience eager to hear his every word. They came in droves, willing to give up food and shelter and sleep. They were people in great need. They were just like us.
Jesus addressed common themes in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5—poverty, mourning, and persecution. He provided a new perspective for those gathered, and for the modern-day believer, on how to live in a blessed and grateful way in times of need. He encouraged his hearers to trust that in the midst of hardship, the blessings of God are entirely real and present. Blessings like comfort, mercy, and inheritance of God’s kingdom aren’t just available for those who have plenty, they’re for those in dire circumstances; for those who because of their need may understand the depth of those blessings more fully.
What are we to do in the hard seasons when we want to be free of struggle, sadness, or stress? When we choose to live a life of faith in Jesus, we can trust his words and act on them even as we wait for relief. “Blessed are you . . .” (v. 11). “Rejoice and be glad . . .” (v. 12). “Let your light shine . . .” (v. 16). Our faithfulness will bless God and may serve as a witness in someone else’s story of great need and joyful deliverance.
As you pray, ask God to help you trust him with every struggle, sadness, and stress, believing he cares for you.