Isaiah's Legacyনমুনা

DAY SEVEN: Unchained Gratitude

Manasseh’s change of allegiance poured out in more than good works. It overflowed in unchained gratitude that spilled out in a community of worship.

Thank Offerings in Fellowship

When Manasseh returned from the Babylonian prison, he destroyed pagan altars, built Jerusalem’s walls, and restored Yahweh’s temple. Then he offered, “sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving” and told the story of his redemption.

Though Psalm 107 was written generations before Manasseh’s imprisonment, it describes perfectly his rebellion, despair, and redemption. Close your eyes and imagine him reciting verses 1-22 with his brilliant recall to a large crowd gathered at the newly-renovated temple and the congregation’s songs of praise that followed!

Why do you think Yahweh prescribed thank offerings to be sacrificed in community?

From Darkness to Light

Even those with the strongest faith can become discouraged when feeling alone or abandoned. And Christians haven’t been transformed into Christ’s perfect image until we reach heaven, so we—like the disciples who abandoned Jesus at His arrest—hurt each other too often. However, when God’s people support each other—as those same disciples did after Jesus’ resurrection—we see His power displayed, and thanksgiving naturally bubbles over!

What about your local church are you especially grateful for? If you’re not part of strong, Christian fellowship, please consider what step you can take toward finding that support.

From Manasseh to the Cross

Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we need not offer thank offerings at a temple or through an earthly intermediary. Instead, Jesus is our High Priest and His Spirit dwells in us. We are His temple. 

When joining others to praise God for Who He is and thank Him for what He’s done, we find it’s contagious; and the accountability of a positive, healthy group of believers enriches our lives by bringing a preview of heaven to earth. 

Write out a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, and then shift to praise for who He is.

May the Lord richly bless you with a life of unchained gratitude within the fellowship of other Christ-followers!