Why is giving thanks to God important, as shown in Psalm 119:62? Key Verse “At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:62 Observing the Scene - The psalmist willingly leaves sleep behind at the most inconvenient hour. - His only agenda is thanksgiving. - The object of his gratitude is God’s “righteous judgments,” underscoring trust in every divine decree. Why Thanksgiving Matters - Declares God’s flawless character. - Recenters the heart on God instead of comfort. - Demonstrates that worship is continuous, not confined to daylight or public gatherings. - Affirms the reliability of Scripture by praising God specifically for His judgments. - Turns the darkness into a theater of spiritual victory, driving out fear with praise. - Prepares the will for glad obedience to those same righteous judgments. Supporting Scriptures - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - Colossians 3:17 — “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Hebrews 13:15 — “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Lessons for Today - Thanksgiving is an all-day, all-night discipline. - Gratitude rests on who God is, not on fluctuating feelings or circumstances. - Late-night wakefulness can become an invitation to worship. - Thanking God for His word deepens love for Scripture and aligns the conscience with His standards. - Persistent gratitude fuels resilience and guards against despair or pride. Practical Steps to Cultivate Midnight Gratitude - Place a card with Psalm 119:62 on the nightstand as a prompt. - When awakened, immediately thank God for a specific attribute revealed in His word. - Keep a bedside journal to record one brief line of thanks before returning to sleep. - Memorize key thanksgiving passages so Scripture flows naturally in the dark. - Encourage family members to identify one reason at bedtime to thank God if they awaken during the night. |
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