Give to God What is God’s

When my children were little, they asked for things—many things—and often. At first, I filled their requests willingly, but after a while, I began to feel a little under-appreciated and maybe … well … taken advantaged of.

Oh, I  taught my 3 boys (and even Rach) the “thank you” and “please” interjections, but they rarely came from the heart and weren’t heard nearly as often as “Mom, will you?” or “Mom, did you?”

But don’t we do the very same thing to God. In my prayers, I am asking far more than offering. I have no problem praying “God, please …” or “Help me, Lord.” However, it takes a conscious effort on my part to give praise and thanks—and mean it.

For a while now in my devotions I’ve found myself drawn to 1 Chronicles 16: 8–36. This passage is a compilation of several Psalms and a few other thoughts by the author.

What I find intriguing is that throughout the entire passage we are encouraged (commanded, if you will) to give something to God, not ask something of Him. In fact, there are more than 20 references to bestowing instead of requesting in those 28 verses:

• Give
• Call
• Proclaim
• Sing
• Tell
• Praise
• Honor
• Rejoice
• Search
• Seek
• Remember
• Declare
• Ascribe
• Bring
• Come
• Worship
• Tremble
• Be glad
• Resound
• Exult
• Shout for joy

Since studying this passage, I’ve noticed that verses on thanking, praising, worshiping, and singing about God abound in the Bible, but still we find ourselves asking, begging, and pleading more easily.

I wonder if God ever gets weary of our constant requests.

I wonder if, like me, He at times feels unappreciated or taken advantaged of.

I wonder if He included passages like 1 Chronicles 16:8–36 so that you and I would remember that the God of the universe is more than a vending machine or a puppet simply there to respond to our whims.

God knew we’d have many needs, all requiring His attention. In fact, we are told to

“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 HCSB, emphasis mine).

But, He also knew it was more important for us to acknowledge His sovereignty, to realize His authority and power, to embrace His compassion and love. So He filled His Word with examples of what our worship should look like—instructing us to do just that.

Therefore, call on the name of Jesus in your need, but more importantly, praise and thank Him regularly for all He is.

“Give thanks to Yahweh; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him; sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works! Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.  Remember the wonderful works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced” (1 Chronicles 16:8–12).

Share in the Discussion: Do you find it easier to ask of God or give to Him?

Giving thanks for the power, might, mercy and love of the Creator of all and for so much more (#822–840)on this Multitude Mondays at A Holy Experience. See my entire list of One Thousand (or more) Gifts posts here.

• Pack of coyotes howling near our house; Doctors willing to care; Power of trusting
• Four young raccoons “fighting” in the garage; Little steps that add up to big ones; Encouragers
• Magnificance of clouds when seen from above; Uneventful flight; Tough times
• New friends; Permission to be raw and honest; Sweet, humble ministry leaders and authors
• Freedom in Christ; Authenticity; Enjoyed a presentation by the amazing Liz Curtis Higgs
• Safe, easy flights; Seeing family again; Great new friends
• Power of giving praise and thanks

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