As the year comes to an end, it is a good time to reflect on the year-end thankfulness that we have in our hearts. God has been faithful to us throughout the year, even in the midst of challenges and difficulties.
He has shown us His love, grace, mercy, and power in many ways. He has provided for our needs, protected us from harm, guided us in His will, and comforted us in our sorrows. He has also given us many opportunities to serve Him, to grow in our faith, and to share His gospel with others. We have so much to be thankful for!
As we approach the close of another year, it’s only fitting that we pause to reflect on the journey and express gratitude for the milestones and challenges that have shaped our lives.
Key Takeaway to Year-End Thankfulness
- Year-End Thankfulness: To remember the goodness of God and to praise Him for all that He has done for us. Gratitude is a force that transforms our perspectives.
Anchor Bible Verse of the Day – Psalm 107:1
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 107:1 is a simple yet powerful call to gratitude. It encourages us to give thanks to the Lord, not just for isolated moments of goodness but for His enduring and boundless mercy.
Key Explanations
- Give thanks to the Lord: It emphasizes the intentional act of expressing gratitude to the divine source of all goodness.
- For His mercy endures forever: The enduring nature of God’s mercy implies that His goodness and compassion are ever-present, irrespective of our circumstances.
Reflection on Year-End Thankfulness
Today, we are reminded that we have many reasons to be thankful at the end of the year, for we can look back and see how God has been good and merciful to us in every situation.
(Psalm 107:1)
We can also look forward and trust that He will continue to be good and merciful to us in the new year.
Here are some ways that we can apply this verse and this theme to our lives:
First, we can make a list of all the blessings that God has given us this year. We can include things like our health, our family, our friends, our church, our work, our education, our hobbies, our possessions, our opportunities, and our experiences.
- We can also include things like our trials, our challenges, our failures, and our disappointments.
Why? Because God can use all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). He can teach us valuable lessons through them, He can shape our character through them, He can draw us closer to Him through them, and He can use them for His purposes.
Second, we can express our gratitude to God for each item on our list. We can do this by praying to Him, by singing to Him, or by any other means that we find meaningful.
- We can also express our gratitude to others who have been a blessing to us this year.
- We can do this by saying thank you, by giving a gift, by writing a note, by making a call, or by any other way that we find appropriate.
Third, we can share our testimony of God’s goodness and mercy with others. We can do this by telling them what God has done for us this year, inviting them to join us in thanking Him, encouraging them with His promises and His character, praying for them and with them, or by any other way that we find effective.
Let’s consider 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says:
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As the year concludes, the call to gratitude extends beyond the peaks of success and into the valleys of challenges. Gratitude becomes an act of trust, acknowledging that even in difficulties, God’s purpose prevails.
(Psalm 107:1)
Beloved, it’s only divine that you mbrace the coming year with a heart that recognizes God’s enduring goodness.
As you reflect on the journey behind and anticipate the path ahead, trust that the unchanging goodness of God will be your constant companion.
Blessings!
Call to Action
As we end this year and begin a new one, let us remember to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever. Let us also remember to share our year-end thankfulness with others, so that they may also know and praise God for His goodness and mercy.
Prayer Points for Today
- Bold Gratitude: Pray for the ability to boldly express gratitude in every circumstance, trusting in God’s enduring mercy.
- Guidance for the New Year: Seek divine guidance and wisdom as you step into the unknown of the upcoming year.
- Overflowing Joy: Pray for a heart that overflows with joy, rooted in the certainty of God’s goodness.
Let’s Pray
Our Father, as we approach the year’s end, we enter Your presence with thanksgiving. May our hearts be attuned to Your goodness, and may gratitude be the melody of our days.
In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
My Prayer for You Today: I pray that as you express gratitude, you will experience a profound sense of joy and peace, knowing that God’s enduring mercy is your constant companion.
