Gratitude by Cornelius PlantingaSample

Day Three: Biblical Themes

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:11–18, Psalm 9:1-4, 10-12

Gratitude triggered by the memory of God’s mighty acts of deliverance is a classic pattern in the Bible. As Christians, we preserve this pattern in the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper with its Great Prayer of Thanksgiving.

In Scripture, God keeps calling Israel and the church to remember how much they have to give thanks for. We can see the pattern with Israel in the wilderness.

God has rescued Israel from bondage in Egypt, but she has not yet reached the promised land. God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai, who then passed them on to the Israelites. As recorded in Deuteronomy, the first commandment presents God as their Liberator: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me” (Deut. 5:6–7). A few commandments later, God tells the Israelites to “observe the sabbath day and keep it holy” (v. 12) and prohibits work on the sabbath by everybody in the household, including an Israelite’s servants.

The reason for the prohibition is instructive. Israel is called to remember God’s “mighty hand and outstretched arm” in delivering them from the Egyptians and to thank God for their freedom (v. 15). It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of the exodus deliverance in the rest of the Bible. God’s biblical reputation becomes that of, the exodus God. God’s people are the exodus people.

For example, the psalms that praise or thank God for deliverance are—explicitly or not—referring to the exodus. Psalm 9 tells of God’s “wonderful deeds” and praises God for them (vs. 1). Psalm 95 speaks of singing and shouting to our Lord for He “is the great King above all Gods (v. 3). Throughout Scripture, this theme beats like a drum. God has done great things for His people and for you. Accordingly, God’s people must be people of praise and thanksgiving.

Pause in silence before the Lord. As you quiet yourself for just a few minutes, ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of God’s deliverance in your life, of specific ways you have experienced God’s faithfulness.