Learning Gratitude from David

 

October 17, 2025

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

When it comes to showing gratitude, few people in the Bible model it better than David. His psalms are filled with reminders of what it means to live with a thankful heart. Let’s take a look at a few lessons we can learn from him as we conclude our devotions for this week.

1. Gratitude Starts with God’s Goodness

David often pauses to thank God for His goodness and faithfulness. In Psalm 107:1, he writes, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
He reminds us that gratitude isn’t just about what we have, it’s about who God is. Even when life feels uncertain, God’s love doesn’t run out. That alone is reason to give thanks.

 
2. Thankfulness in Every Season

David knew that gratitude isn’t just for the good days. In Psalm 34:1, he says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Notice that, at all times. Even when things were hard, David chose to praise. He didn’t wait for perfect circumstances; he let his heart lead the way. Gratitude like that helps keep us steady when life feels uncertain.

 
3. Gratitude Is Worship

For David, being thankful wasn’t just a nice idea, it was an act of worship. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.”
When we come before God with a thankful heart, we’re doing more than saying “thank you.” We’re acknowledging that everything we have and everything we are comes from Him. Gratitude opens the door to deeper worship.

 
4. Thankfulness in the Hard Times

David didn’t hide his struggles. His psalms are full of  honesty and emotion. Yet even in the middle of his pain, he found reasons to praise. In Psalm 30:12, he writes, “That my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
David’s example shows that gratitude isn’t something that disappears when life gets hard, it’s something that carries us through.

David’s life reminds us to make thankfulness a daily habit. Whether we’re celebrating victories or facing challenges, gratitude helps us see God’s hand at work. Like David, we can learn to keep a thankful heart, one that sees God’s goodness in every chapter of life.

It seems to me that when we live this way, our worship becomes richer, our days more meaningful, and our hearts more in tune with God’s incredible love and grace.

Let's Pray

We conclude our week with a prayer that is attributed to St. Patrick. I suppose, St. Patrick needs no introduction to most of us, he was a 5th-century Christian missionary and bishop, best known as the patron saint of Ireland. 

Almighty God, we thank you for creating the universe,
for making us in your image as the crown of your creation,
for sending us your Son, Jesus, to reveal yourself to us,
and for preparing a place for us to live with you forever.

Thank you, Christ, that you are before us and behind us.

We thank you for giving us a world vast in resources,
for enabling us to explore your world and its cultures,
for making us part of your redemption story,
and for prodding us to reflect to you all the glory of your creation.

Thank you, Christ, that you are beneath us and above us.

We thank you for your mighty power that works salvation:
you called us to a life set apart for you,
you saved us from the corrupting ways of sin,
and you brought us new life through your Son, Jesus, the Messiah.

Thank you, Christ, that you are on our right and on our left.

We thank you that you’ve called us to be servant-leaders in your world,
to be your agents of reconciliation, comfort, and healing,
and to live your gospel in our work, play, and worship
through the power and guidance of your Holy Spirit.

Thank you, Christ, that you are with us when we rest and when we rise.

Lord God, we thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit
that enable us to love each other, to act justly and love mercy,
and to live with joy, kindness, and gentle patience.
May each moment bring you glory.

Thank you, Christ, that you are in our hearts and in our minds.

Thank you for giving us a vision for a renewed heaven and earth,
where tears of pain and terrors of death are no more,
where all sorrow and suffering will cease,
and where the redeemed of the Lord and all creation will praise you forever.

Thank you, Christ, that you are in us and ever with us. Amen!