Have you ever stopped to think about all the good things that God has given you? The simple fact of being able to read this is already a reason to be grateful. There are many people who cannot read and there are others who cannot see. We are privileged! But if we are honest, sometimes we focus more on our problems or the things we don’t have, instead of expressing our gratitude to God for all the good things we do have.
In the Bible we find many verses of gratitude that encourage us to remember the goodness of our God. Let’s look at some of those verses and live lives full of gratitude towards our beloved Lord and Savior.
1. Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him; I get help from him. My heart leaps for joy, and with songs I will give thanks.
(Psalm 28:7)
We must thank God because he gives us the strength we need in the midst of any circumstance. God is our protective shield against the attacks of the enemy. During our earthly lives, we may never know for sure how many evils God has delivered us from. He is by our side helping us and strengthening us at all times. Let’s be thankful!
2. Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; come into your courts with hymns of praise; give him thanks, praise his name.
(Psalm 100:4)
Gratitude to God does not have to be something private between him and us. It is good to express it in front of others, for example, when we meet with our brothers in the faith. It is a privilege to be able to go to the temple to praise God together and share what he does in our lives. Our testimonies and expressions of thanks to God can be of encouragement and edification to others. Let us not be shy in expressing our love and gratitude to God for his infinite goodness.
3. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Praise the Lord because he is good, and his great love endures forever!
(1 Chronicles 16:34)
A grateful heart is full of praises to God, especially when remembering his eternal love. God is not like the human beings that we love today and forget tomorrow. God’s love is unconditional and lasts forever. No matter how many times we fail him, he remains faithful, loving us, and willing to forgive. How can we not be grateful to such a love?
4. Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; rather, on every occasion, with prayer and supplication, present your petitions to God and give him thanks. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
There are many circumstances in life that can cause us anxiety. However, our gaze should not be on them, but on Jesus and his power to transform them. We can bring our requests to him giving thanks because we know that he has helped us up to this point and will continue to do so. By focusing on God’s power, His peace flows freely and helps us see things from God’s perspective.
5. Ephesians 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3)
God’s heart rejoices when we praise and thank him for all his blessings. There is no one more generous than God, he has given us everything that concerns life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) and our gratitude should never cease.
We bless and exalt God when we recognize all that he has granted us through Christ. It is in him that we have salvation and by his grace we have received the spiritual gifts that he grants to all who receive him as Lord and Savior.
6. James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift descends from above, where is the Father who created the heavenly lights, and who does not change like the stars or move like the shadows.
(James 1:17)
The days go by and we don’t stop to think what a great blessing it is to be able to breathe, see, hear, walk, speak… There are so many things we do automatically because we are human beings and that’s how we are. But it is God who is pleased to give us health, family, friends, salvation through Jesus, and all the good things in our lives. Let’s not allow the daily grind and the problems that arise to prevent us from having a grateful heart that recognizes all the blessings that are part of our lives.
7. Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; this does not come from you, but is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
The best gift we have ever received is the salvation of our souls. God already granted it to us through the death of Jesus on the cross. He paid the price for our sins and thanks to his sacrifice we have been forgiven and reconciled to God (Romans 5:1-2). Let us accept his gift by faith and allow God to transform us more each day into his image. Let us never forget to thank the Father for the eternal life that he has given us in Christ.
8. Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)
There is a big difference between doing things out of obligation and doing them out of a grateful heart that seeks to honor and please God. Not only is it more pleasant for those around us, but we ourselves benefit in physical and spiritual health.
What does it mean to “do everything in the name of Jesus”? It means that we are his representatives in front of the people with whom we interact every day. If they see Jesus in me, if I treat them as he wishes and I do it from the heart, not reluctantly, I glorify him and act from a heart transformed and full of love.
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks to God in every situation, because this is his will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
As children of God, we always find something to thank God even in the midst of situations that hurt or disconcert us. We know that everything works for good for those of us who love God (Romans 8:28) and we move forward with confidence. It is not that we deny our pain, but in the midst of that pain we experience the peace of him and know that he has a purpose.
Sometimes, looking back, we see that it was precisely in the most painful or difficult moments that we experienced the power and closeness of God most clearly. Let us keep our spirit attentive to the presence and goodness of God and let us not stop thanking him.
10. Colossians 1:11b-14
In this way they will patiently persevere in every situation, joyfully giving thanks to the Father. He has empowered you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. He freed us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:11b-14)
Gratitude helps us persevere and allows us to remember who we are in Jesus. Thanks to the work of Christ, we belong to the kingdom of light, that is our heritage from the very moment we surrender our hearts to Jesus and receive him as Savior.
The dark, with all its oppression, no longer has power over us. We have been redeemed through Jesus and his light lights our way in every situation. God helps us and guides us to act according to the character and will of God. We have the best Counselor! Let us lay hold of all that Christ has already won for us and live the victorious life that is born from a forgiven and grateful heart.
11. Hebrews 12:28
So let us who are receiving an unshakable kingdom be thankful. Inspired by this gratitude, let us worship God as he pleases, with reverent fear.
(Hebrews 12:28)
No one will be able to shake the kingdom of God that we have received thanks to the work of Jesus on the cross. In the face of the uncertainty of this world, the heart fills with gratitude as we think of the incomparable inheritance we have in Christ.
Let us express our gratitude to the almighty! Let us lift up songs of worship with all our hearts, serving the Lord with reverent awe and wonder at his majesty and his love.
12. Psalm 107:1-3
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; His great love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he redeemed from the power of the adversary, whom he gathered from all countries, from east and west, from north and south.
(Psalm 107:1-3)
We must not remain silent before the redemptive love that God has poured out on us. Our hearts should overflow with joy, gratitude, and adoration at the wonderful work of the Lord. There is much goodness that God has shown and poured out on us. Let’s not stop thanking him!
13. Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his great love, for his wonders in favor of men!
(Psalm 107:8)
There are many things that God does for us every day. Let us not close our hearts or take for granted what God does for us in our daily lives. Every blessing, every moment of protection, every provision we receive from him must be recognized and appreciated from the depths of our being.
14. Ephesians 5:19-20
Encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and praise the Lord from the heart, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 5:19-20)
Gratitude to God is an essential part of our worship of him. A grateful heart praises the Lord without reservation and encourages others to praise and thank the heavenly Father, giver of all good things.
15. Psalm 107:22
Let them offer sacrifices of gratitude, and joyfully proclaim their works!
(Psalm 107:22)
Gratitude and joy go hand in hand. When we give thanks, our hearts are filled with joy and the desire arises to tell others what God has done in us. Let us proclaim with joy and gratitude the works of our Lord!
16. Psalm 50:23
Whoever offers me his gratitude, honors me; To him who mends his conduct I will show my salvation.
(Psalm 50:23)
We honor God and acknowledge his power and greatness when we offer him words of gratitude. But that gratitude should not remain only in words, it must be expressed in our actions. Our behavior will reflect what is in our hearts.
17. Colossians 4:2
Give yourselves to prayer: persevere in it with gratitude.
(Colossians 4:2)
Our prayer life must be constant and must not be focused solely on asking for God’s favor. Thankful prayers renew the spirit, bring joy, and help us draw closer to God by acknowledging his move in our lives.
18. Psalm 50:14
Offer God your gratitude, keep your promises to the Most High!
(Psalm 50:14)
19. Psalm 69:30-31
With songs I will praise the name of God; with thanksgiving I will exalt him. That offering will please the Lord more than that of a bull or a young calf with its horns and hooves.
(Psalm 69:30-31)
20. 1 Chronicles 16:4
David put some Levites in charge of the ark of the Lord to minister, give thanks and praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.
(1 Chronicles 16:4)
21. Psalm 136:1-3
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; its…