Giving Thanks
“Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”
Lyrics by Don Moen (c) 1986
Hearing the words wash peace and trust over me. I see myself standing shoulder to shoulder with our first Christian community of brothers and sisters. Hands raised in praise to God, hearts lifted in love, lives surrendered to the One who has given His all for us.
Hubby and I with our wriggly four-year-old sung such simple words that captured our hearts, our lives. Those times seem a lifetime away, yet the beauty of those words and the call deep within is still the same. Hard times have caused us to stumble along the way since then but in a moment of praise, a moment of gratitude, I can slip back into the grace and healing of the One who called me.
As I researched the copyright date on Don Moen’s lyrics, I learned on Wikipedia that he first sang these lyrics at a live worship service at Covenant Church in Mobile, Alabama in July 1986. It was part of an album that emphasized the aspect of the Lord as healer–Jehovah-Rapha. According to the research, several people in the congregation reported being healed that night.
The power of Giving Thanks to the Lord for who He is and what He has done for us restores lives. His life touches ours and the lame walk and the blind, both physically and spiritually, see. Not all of those days were as beautiful for me as I remember now. But I remember His presence in the song.
Giving thanks to you Lord this week for:
♥ Your life and death that rescued me from darkness
♥ Your love that reaches to heal my soul, my heart, my mind
♥ Your power that stops the onslaught of the enemy’s lies hammering out that I am worthless. You Lord have made each believer worthy and righteous.
♥ Your Holy Spirit who takes our old selfish selves and gradually transforms us into new creatures who radiate You to the world.
♥ Your compassion and comfort which never fail to reach into the depths of my being, whispering “I see your pain, I hear your cry, and I want to heal your broken heart.”
Thank you, Jesus, for love so indescribable.
From My Heart To Yours,
Thankfulness seems to be the theme of the day on many of the devotional sites I am visiting. I love how God drives a point home to me that way. It fills my own heart with thankfulness to hear the blessings He has poured out on others and reminds me of the many He has graced my own life with. Thanks, Janis! Have a wonderful day!
Pam, thank you for visiting again. I think that after the holidays, we begin to settle into some type of routine and realize that we need to begin again with the gratitude. It really brings our hearts back to the Lord. Glad I could be a reminder of His many blessings in your life as well.
Blessings, Janis
Thankfulness should be so much more a part of my prayers! Thanks for the reminder.
Janis, I think your new website is beautiful. Just like you.
This post was so uplifting. I am learning gratitude for the many ways that we are taken care of by our Lord. In the big stuff, and in the smallest details of life, He is there.
Jesus, Only You – spells JOY!
GOD BLESS!
Thanks for the reminder of this song. It is a favorite of mine and I appreciate the lyrics.
It is lovely here, Janis! These soft colors are so restful. That song has some special memories for me too. Thanks for this little bit of history. Giving thanks with you, friend.
Your blog is so lovely!