As we come together today to worship the Lord, I want to make this a little longer than usual, but not too long anyway so let’s get started. I want to speak to you today about the importance of praising and thanking God. In the book of Psalms, we are told to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4).

Why is it so important that we praise and thank God? For one, it is a way for us to express our gratitude for all that He has done for us. Every breath we take, every blessing we receive, is a gift from God. By praising and thanking Him, we recognize that all good things come from Him.

Thanking God is also good for us

But praising and thanking God is also good for us. It helps to shift our focus from our own problems and struggles to the greatness of God. It reminds us that He is sovereign and in control, and that we can trust in His plans for our lives.

Daniel Was Faithful In The Lion’s Den

One story from the Bible that illustrates the power of praising and thanking God is the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. Daniel was a faithful servant of God who was thrown into a den of lions as punishment for praying to God. But rather than cowering in fear, Daniel lifted up his voice and praised and thanked God, saying, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

And what happened? God protected Daniel and sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel was spared, and his faith in God was strengthened even more.

For He’s Good

In the book of Psalms, we are told, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Praising and thanking God is more than just a form of worship; it is also a way to release more blessings into our lives. When we focus on the goodness of God and give Him thanks, it opens the door for Him to pour out even more blessings upon us.

Jesus heal the ten lepers

Another story from the Bible that illustrates this point is the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers. In this story, Jesus encountered ten lepers who begged Him for healing. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were healed.

But only one of the lepers, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks to Jesus. And what happened? Jesus said to him, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Luke 17:19).

This story shows us that when we are thankful and express our gratitude to God, it not only pleases Him, but it also releases His power to work in our lives. It opens the door for Him to do even more for us.

Let’s Lift up our voices in praise

So today, let us follow the example of Daniel’s and the Samaritan leper and lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Let us give Him the glory and honor that He deserves, and trust in His goodness and faithfulness to us. As we do, we will see even more blessings released into our lives.

Praising and thanking God is a good habit to form; it is a way to release more blessings into our lives. When we focus on the goodness of God and give Him thanks, it opens the door for Him to pour out even more blessings upon us.

The apostle Paul writes

The apostle Paul writes about this in his letter to the Colossians, saying, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Thanks God in all Things

In other words, when we give thanks to God in all things, it honors Him and allows His blessings to flow into our lives. It also helps to keep our focus on Him, rather than on our own problems and challenges.

So today, let us make a conscious effort to praise and thank God in all circumstances. Let us remember that He is sovereign and in control, and that His plans for us are good. As we do, we will see even more blessings released into our lives.

God bless.