A spirit of gratitude devotional
Scripture:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” — Psalm 107:1
Reflection:
Did you know that no two snowflakes are the same? Just imagine that! Likewise, The God who numbers each hair on your head is the same God who knows every grain of sand scattered across the world’s beaches and shores. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you and be raised again from the dead on the third day as payment for our sins. He desires to be intricately involved in your life.
So what should our response be? Gratitude.
Gratitude is not just a response to good circumstances—it is an act of faith. When we give thanks to God, we acknowledge that everything we have flows from His hand. Even in seasons of difficulty, gratitude reorients our hearts away from fear, lack of peace, self-reliance, and back toward the One who provides every good thing.
The Bible calls us repeatedly to remember God’s goodness. Not just with words, but with a posture of trust. Israel was commanded to pause and give thanks even when they had not yet seen the fullness of the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 8:10-11) Joseph trusted God when thrown into prison after being falsely accused. (Genesis 39: 21-23)
Paul praised God when he was put in prison in Phillipi, which resulted in his jailor coming to know Jesus. (Acts 16: 25-26) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, gave praise to Jesus in the fire! (Daniel 3:16-30) And, our Savior, Jesus Christ gave thanks the night before the cross. Gratitude is not rooted in the comfort of the moment. It is rooted in the character of God.
When we practice thanksgiving, we are declaring God’s faithfulness and provision over our lives, and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. Giving thanks is a sacrifice because it requires us to focus our time and attention on the things we are grateful for. It isn’t just thanking Him for what He does for us, but who He is. Grateful people are not people who have everything—they are people who see God in everything.
On this Thanksgiving in 2025, Watermark CDC's board of directors and staff team are grateful to God for His direction in each of our initiatives, continued financial provision to carry out our mission, and the stories of life change through economics and the Gospel. Let's worship Him together with gratefulness. He is our sovereign and faithful provider.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for every gift we can see and every blessing we cannot yet see. Forgive us when we overlook Your goodness and help us to remember your great sacrifice and love for us. Teach us to be people who give thanks in all seasons, trusting that You are faithful, just, loving, and always working for our good. Fill our hearts with a spirit of gratitude today. Amen.