We often toss this quote around, referring to our longing for the upcoming weekend. But I thought it might actually be a nice gesture to actually do it...I mean, like ACTUALLY thank God it is Friday. So, here is a little list I compiled to get you going in the right direction.
Lord, thank you for being merciful. Even when I mess up and wander far away from you…you lovingly pursue me, wrapping me in your arms. It is easy to glance right over this tender perception of God. I mean, it is more familiar to think of God as an heroic, superman who sweeps in to save the day. The kind of God that you only need once in awhile when life has you in a pickle. You might even be able to conceptualize God’s sovereignty and extreme intelligence. But tender mercy? That may come across as a new idea compared to your old, liturgical list of Godly attributes. It is a concept that pushes us to call Him names like Daddy or Father and allows us direct access to communicate freely with Him.
Look how Jude addresses the saints in this verse…(and let it sink in because it is incredibly powerful).
From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Jude 1:1 NET
Lord, thank you for loving me beyond measure. Only God can wholly, completely, perfectly and unconditionally love us. I know it is tempting to look for this love from another human being. And even with their best intentions, they will at some point let you down. Let’s face it…you’ve let someone else down in your flawed attempts to love perfectly. But God’s love for you is unfathomable, expanding the boundaries of what we can even comprehend.
The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.“ Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Lord, thank you for being so smart. God’s ways are always better. He directs our path and leads us to green pasture. His knows more than we do…and that’s a really good thing! We can go to HIm for wisdom and direction. We can trust His Word as truth. And we can lean on Him for understanding.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV
Lord, thank you for being in control. Because, let’s be honest, we can sometimes react to things and situations uncontrollably. We can let our emotions run wild and our tempers flare. But God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. We can rely on Him to be reliable, a stable force in our time of need. We can place our hope in the future that lies ahead, knowing full well that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
Lord, thank you for JESUS. Thank you, God, for sending your very son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins. WOW! When I ponder on this truth, it truly is INCREDIBLE! You did not spare anything on my behalf, but rather graciously gave me your son. Because of this, I know I can trust you with anything. You are moving and acting for my best interest (even when it may not look like it). Nothing in this world–cell phones, social media, break-ups, job losses, rebellious kids–NOTHING CAN SEPARATE ME FROM YOU.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39
See how easy that is! Now it is your turn..what are you thankful for?