Read: Romans 1:21-25

Christian Devotions Memory Verse

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 107:1 KJV)

One of the things that can hinder prayers and limit the blessings of Christians is ingratitude. Ingratitude is disobedience to God’s commandment because we are commanded to give thanks unto Him.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4)

Many people will not give thanks to God because they believe that it is by their power, smartness, or intellect that they achieve what they have. But in actual fact, the reverse is the case; we are what we are by the grace of God. Ingratitude in the life of any Christian is a pointer to backsliding – beware!

Reasons for Ingratitude

Ignorance or Spiritual Blindness: Ignorance of what God is doing in our life could make us feel that there is no reason to give thanks to God (Ephesians 4:18, Acts 17:30). We should bear in mind that some people went out with their cars yesterday and never came back alive. Some slept just the way we sleep yester night and never woke up.

Pride: Another source of ignorance is pride. When pride fully intoxicates a man, he will see himself as better or superior to others. In Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh, because of the pride in his heart, said “...who is the Lord that I should obey his voice...”. We all know the rest of the story – destruction to him and his army.

Unhealthy friendship : As Christians we need to be selective when choosing those we call friends. Bad friends will load you daily with worldly affairs that will not allow you to think about what God is doing in your life and around you (Hosea 4:17, 1 cor 15:33).

Power, position and self contentment can also make a man feel that there is no reason to glorify God. Perhaps that is what makes Jesus to remark “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25). Power, position and self contentment are good but we must accept that it is not by our power but by God who set up king and remove kings from throne (Daniel 2:21).

Dangers of Ingratitude

Ingratitude in the life of any man is dangerous. It can prevent the blessing of God from reaching you; it can hinder your prayers from being answered. Ingratitude brings emptiness and sorrow. Whoever refuses to give God glory and thanks is regarded as wicked and such a fellow is under curse (Proverbs 3:33)

Questions


•    What are the other consequences of not being thankful?
•    Read Psalm 118 and list five reasons for giving thanks to God.

Christian Devotions Prayer Point

Thank you everlasting father for your mercy. Thank you for your love for me and my family. Thank you Lord for my country. Thank you Jesus for saving me. Almighty God, let me always have reasons to thank you and to walk in your ways. Thank you Father, in the name of Jesus.