Reason for Giving Thanks
Psalm 136

One of the first things we teach children is to say thank you when someone does something nice for them. “What do you say?” Say thank you.  To be grateful does not come naturally to little kids; It doesn’t come natural to a lot of people who think they are entitled to things.  Very soon they take for granted the source from which they got what they have.  How often we go through life and forget to show gratitude to others; how about gratitude to God? “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
In our nation we have a day of Thanksgiving, a day of lots of cooking, baking, sharing, eating etc.  At least once a year in our calendars, we are reminded to be thankful and share with others.
The attitude of thanksgiving is more evident in people who pray often.  Lord, thank you for this day, for the food, for your provisions and so forth.  Most people tend to thank God when they pray to him.

When you read the Psalms, you will find thanksgiving expressed to God for his deeds.  The Psalms were songs used in the Jewish worship.  They had Psalms of praise, wisdom, lament and Thanksgiving.  Psalm 136 is one of those used to express gratitude to Yahweh.
It starts by commanding the worshiper to give thanks the LORD for he is good.
Why should you give thanks to the LORD?
-He is good.  God’s goodness is one of his attributes.  That is who he is, he cannot be bad.  God’s goodness does not depend on our understanding or our opinion about him.  He is good.
-Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shirting shadows. (James 1:17)

–He is above all gods and He is Lord of lords.  “ no god save this way.” Nebuchadnezzar. Dan.3:29
We can see God’s goodness and love in the things he does. (He alone does great wonders)
-In his creation.  He created the heavens and the earth.  (v.5-9)  God saw what he had created and he said it was good. His works are good.

Det.32:3-4  I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  4He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong upright and just is he. NIV

His is a righteous judge; his judgments are always right.
-Struck down Israel’s enemies
-HE poured out judgment on those who came against his people.
God also judged his people in allowing them to go through the dessert for 40 years.  He disciplined his children during those years of wilderness wandering.  Some did not even make it to enjoy their inheritance.  God is a righteous judge; he means exactly what he says and says what he means.  Those who attacked his people ended up dead.
The writer reminisced about the history in which God’s goodness and love was displayed through his judgment.  -He struck down the Egyptians (v.10); he struck down great kings (v.17)
God’s mighty acts; his great works on behalf of his people are evidence of his love for them.  HE did all those things because his love endured from generation to generation.  His love endures forever.
God’s action on your behalf should cause them to give thanks to him.  When you understand who he is, and his love for you it will prompt you to appreciate him more.  David called him, the God who is good, the God above gods, the LORD of lords whose love never fails.

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love endures forever, he remembered us in our low state.  He doesn’t abandon us during those difficult times.
-He rescues us from our enemies and gives food to every creature on earth.
His love endures forever.  His protection and provisions are reasons for giving thanks.
As you spend time with family and friends during Thanksgiving, don’t forget to thank the one from whom all blessings come. Thank him for his goodness, love, justice, his protection, for his provision.