Give Thanks for God’s Trustworthiness

As we approach Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the different times in Scripture where we are commanded to “give thanks.” Many of these are followed by a reason for giving thanks, usually some attribute of God. In the next few posts, we will be taking a look at just a few of these attributes, or characteristics, of God which Scripture says we ought to give thanks to Him for. Today, I want to remind you of God’s trustworthiness.

Psalm 118 begins,

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever.”(vv.1-4)

This call to give thanks for God’s goodness and mercy is followed by some statements about God’s trustworthiness:

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” (vv. 5-9)

Especially in this post-election season, it is good to be reminded that we should never put our trust in frail, faulty human beings. Only God is completely worthy of our trust.

The psalmist then describes how God has been trustworthy in the past to deliver him from his enemies:

“All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.”(vv.10-13)

It is true that God has a special hand of protection and help over His children, and we must not let the seeming prospering of the wicked distract us from the goodness of God in preserving us thus far. Just as He has helped His people in the past, He will continue to work “all things together for good” (Romans 8:28)

So as you go about your daily life, remember to give thanks to the Lord for being completely and unchangeably worthy of your trust.

And then, trust Him!