For 35 years, General Patton was a leader of military troops. A soldier once wrote to him and thanked him for that leadership. General Patton remarked, “This was the only man to ever write and thank me during the entire time I was in the military.” Have you stopped to thank God recently for what He is doing in your life? The book of Psalms contains numerous psalms of praise and thanksgiving. The Bible encourages us to be men and women of praise. Someone wrote that instead of having one day set aside for Thanksgiving, we should have everyday dedicated to thanking God. We cannot praise Him enough for what He has given us. Here are just three reasons why Christians should thank and praise God found in this psalm.

The idea of “right” is true or upright. We can have complete confidence in God’s word found in His book. His word will never fail. Heaven and earth may pass away but God’s word endures for all time. Paul says God’s words are “Words of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:19) “Truth” (2 Cor 6:7) and “Life (Phil 2:16). We can count on the word of God. By His word the Heavens were created. By trusting His word hearts and lives have been changed and redeemed from a lost eternity. The Psalm writer in Psalm 119 encourages us to hide the word of God in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. Yes, we have much to praise God for regarding His word. We can praise Him by living a life centered on His word and watching Him work through His word to change our lives. Today let’s praise Him by being men and women of the word. This psalm also encourages us to

God’s works and His word are closely related. Verse 6 says that by the word of God the Heavens were created. He spoke and it was done. Today God is working in the hearts and lives of believers making them new creations in Christ. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:10). God desires to do something in each of our lives that only He can do. We praise Him when we willingly submit to His will. God’s work in us makes possible the impossible. Paul put it this way in (Phil 2:13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Are you allowing God to do His perfect work in your life? He knows exactly what needs to be done and how best to accomplish that work. When we allow God’s work in our heart we are the ones who benefit both now and for all eternity. Psalm 33 goes on to say

God’s ways are indeed marvelous. “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). The difficulty with fallen man is they want their own way. This leads to a troubled life and separation from God. (Prov 14:12 and 16:25) “There is a way that seems right to man but the ends thereof are the ways of death.” The wisdom writer repeats this warning twice so we would not miss the point. God has revealed the way in His word and He has shown us His way in the person of His Son. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6). There is only one way, but thank God there is a way. Praise God for making it possible through His Son. I trust you know Jesus as your personal Savior. As sinners we are told to reach out by faith and receive Him as our Savior from sin. Jesus is just a prayer away.

In this Psalm 33 the writer is filled with joy and praise of God. He says in verse 8 “let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” Can you honestly sing the song of praise and salvation? Someone has said, He who thanks but with his lips, thanks but in part. The full, the true thanksgiving comes from a believing heart. If we are truly thankful for God’s words, His works and His ways we will give our hearts and lives completely to Him for His honor and glory.

A little five year old girl was overheard singing the doxology. However, her version was a little different. She sang, Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures…here we go. It would be hard to find fault with that. God bless.