Honour God With Thanksgiving
Psalm 50:23 (NET) Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
Romans 1:21 (NIV) “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Gratitude is a pure form of honour. When you give thanks, you are saying, “Lord, I see Your hand in my life, and I am grateful.”
When people stop being thankful, their hearts become darkened.
Thanksgiving = Frankincense
Mix equal amounts of the costly spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, then add salt to make the mixture pure and holy. Exodus 30:34
The Scriptures tell us in Exodus 30 about the incense we are to offer, which is our prayers. Your prayers are incense to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8). The frankincense represents thanksgiving.
If you are going to combine the four condiments of the incense, you must have thanksgiving in your prayer concoction, or it is not acceptable incense to God. When you pray without thanksgiving, you offer incense that lacks one of its key ingredients; it doesn’t rise as a sweet aroma before God.
Previous Read: Honour Part 4
Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”
So, whenever you pray do not forget to mix in the frankincense. Don’t forget thanksgiving.
What Do You Give God Thanks For?
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
Giving thanks for those in government is not a suggestion; it is a command that reveals a heart that trusts God’s sovereignty.
Too often, believers are quick to complain, murmur, or curse their leaders and those in authority. Yet the Scriptures say clearly that we are to pray and give thanks for all men, especially for civil leaders. The reason is simple: the peace of our land is connected to our prayers and thanksgiving.
How to Give Thanks for Leaders and Government
As a child of God, your duty is not to curse but to submit to, give thanks and pray for the government. Why? Because the very existence of authority helps to maintain order.
Romans 13:1-5 NIV Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Also Read: Changing God
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
When there is no government, chaos reigns. History, both ancient and modern, shows that lawlessness destroys lives far more quickly than bad leadership.
Thank God for the restraint that the government brings, however imperfect it seems.
As a Nigerian, give thanks that in the midst of our troubles, a large majority can move about, attend school, worship freely, and live our daily lives without total collapse. There are nations that have lost these privileges overnight.
Jeremiah 29:7 (NKJV) “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
The Israelites were commanded to pray for the peace of Babylon, the very land of their captivity! If God could expect them to do that, how much more should we give thanks and pray for our own nation?
Let’s take a break here. But as we look forward to next week’s episode, let us reflect:
What are the things that we can thank God for concerning our nation and her leaders?
Here are some hints:
Sectors of the economy
Levels of food security
Security agencies, etc.
To explore more on the subject of frankincense, read the blog “Don’t Forget the Frankincense” by Pastor Ita Udoh at g-lh.org.
READ NEXT: HONOUR (PART 6)
