Growing up there were 2 magic words we were encouraged to say–‘please’ and ‘thank you’.  ‘Please’ as a kind way of asking for something.  ‘Thank you’ as showing gratitude.  When our granddaughter Helena was staying with us, I noticed that when she wanted something she would say ‘please’, with ‘thank you’ soon following.  Our other grandchildren say the same.  However, these words are rare to hear in this day-and-age, especially from adults.

People seem different now than from the past.  We feel entitled.  Like it’s our right, our due in life.  This ‘selfie’ generation expects to take without much effort at all.  Right now!  I guess it’s too much to ask people to say those magic words,  let alone mean them?   Too much sacrifice involved?  Too ungrateful?  Might have to swallow our pride.  Eat a bit of humble pie.

In Psalm 107, God’s people have been foolish.  Verse 17–  ‘Some became foolish through their rebellious ways…’  Sin and rebellion were their ‘modus operandi’.  They suffered greatly for it.  But, praise the Lord, they came to their senses, realized how utterly foolish they had been, and ‘…they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress'(verse 19).  They didn’t shake their fists at the Lord, but bowed the knee as if to say ‘please, Lord, help us!’.

Isn’t it too bad that so many of us wait until we’re knee-deep in trouble before we turn to the Lord for help?  Like we can handle it ourselves.  It’s taken me a lifetime to realize that my efforts are chicken-feed compared to all that the Lord wants to do for me, and through me.  So, I say ‘please’ much sooner.  Then as quickly as I can, utter those other magical words…’thank you, Lord’.  So easy to be blessed and then go on with our day, willy-nilly, as if we’re the luckiest fellow on the face of the earth.

How quickly we forget…that all our blessings come from Him.  Is it so difficult to say ‘Thank you, Lord’?  Those in this psalm didn’t think so.  ‘Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy'(verses 21-22).  Maybe you should stop here for a moment and ‘count your many blessings’, ‘see what God has done’?

From the bottom of your heart…from your lips to His ears, utter those sweet words of thanksgiving.  Make that annual holiday a daily event.  Every day filled with words of ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to our Lord, who loves to hear from us more than we could ever imagine.  ‘Please, Lord!’  ‘Thank you, Lord!’  Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for always being with us answering our prayers in your way and in your time.  Thank you again.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.