The Chorus of Gratitude

 

September 8, 2025

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:16–17

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

We live in a world where complaints seem to dominate, almost like the air we breathe, grievances about politics, people, problems, and life. It's easy to join the chorus. This is a point we have been thinking about in our sermons the past couple of weeks. 

We have considered that Psalm 136 offers us a different chorus to sing: “His love endures forever.” It’s repeated 26 times in Psalm 136, almost like God knew we’d need it drilled into our hearts. Gratitude is not just saying “thank you” when life feels good; it’s choosing to root our lives in God’s unchanging love.

I can tell you, that kind of grateful living changes everything.

It steadies us when life feels shaky.
It opens our eyes to God’s goodness in creation and in small daily gifts.
It keeps God’s salvation story alive in our hearts.
It sustains us in the hardest seasons.
And it shines as a witness to a world desperate for hope.

So here’s the choice we face: Will we live by the world’s rhythm of complaint, or by God's rhythm of gratitude?

Imagine if our lives became like Psalm 136, which drives home to us that whatever comes, our refrain is steady: “His love endures forever.” What would our families look like? Our relationships? Even our community of faith? What would seekers notice about us if gratitude became our lifestyle?

Gratitude isn’t a moment but a lifestyle rhythm that is:

Rooted in God’s unchanging character.
Remembering His creation and redemption.
Practiced in every season.
Witnessing to the world of His enduring love.

Gratitude grows, transforming faith inward into worship and outward into testimony. In a world yearning for authenticity and hope, your expressed and demonstrated thankfulness becomes a guiding light, illuminating the path for others to discover the Giver of all good gifts. 

Below is a little challenge for us to work on this week together. You may just want to pick one and work on that this week, and add others in future weeks. 

Each practice, though simple, will weave a pattern of gratitude into our lives. They are faithful works that help us to recognize and receive God's grace in our lives.

Living with Gratitude: A Challenge 

Start each day this week by listing three specific things for which you are thankful.

When you feel a complaint rising, pause and express that feeling to God—then, seek two blessings hidden within (even if small).

Share a gratitude story with someone who needs encouragement.

Bring your thanks into daily worship, let song, prayer, art, or action become living praise.

Remember: you are part of God’s enduring story, a story of love that truly never ends. His love endures forever. Thanks be to God.