Top 25 Scriptures for Gratitude

 

Gratitude

In a world that often measures life by what is missing or unfinished, thankfulness invites us to pause and see what God has already done. Gratitude is more than a response to blessing—it is a posture of the heart that recognizes God’s presence in every season. The Bible reminds us that giving thanks is not dependent on circumstances, but on trust in the One who walks with us through them. These verses encourage us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude that brings peace, strengthens faith, and anchors the soul in God’s enduring goodness.

1.  1 Thessalonians 5:18- "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
2. Psalm 107:1- "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
3. Colossians 3:17-  "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
4. Psalm 100:4- "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."
5. Philippians 4:6- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
6. Psalm 136:1- "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."
7. Colossians 4:2- "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."
8. Psalm 95:2- "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."
9. Hebrews 12:28- "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
10. Psalm 9:1- "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works."
11. Ephesians 5:20- "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
12. Psalm 28:7- "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
13. 2 Corinthians 9:15- "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
14. Psalm 30:12- "To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."
15. Daniel 6:10- "He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God…"
16. Psalm 118:24- "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
17. Jonah 2:9- "But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."
18. Nehemiah 12:46- "For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God."
19. Psalm 69:30- "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."
20. 1 Chronicles 16:34- "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
21. Romans 1:21- "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful…"
22. Psalm 92:1- "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High."
23. 2 Thessalonians 2:13- "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord…"
24. Psalm 116:17- "I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."
25. Lamentations 3:22–23- "It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

🕊️ Conclusion:

In every season—whether joyful or uncertain—thankfulness has the power to steady our hearts and draw us closer to God. May these scriptures remind you that gratitude is an act of faith, acknowledging God’s goodness even when the full picture is not yet clear. As you give thanks, may your heart be filled with peace, your spirit renewed with hope, and your trust deepened in the God who is faithful in all things. Let gratitude become your quiet offering, and may it guide your steps with grace.

Sanctified Steps: Give Thanks In Every Season| 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

 

Give Thanks In Every Season| 1 Thessalonians 5:18

📖 Scripture:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

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Devotional:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 offers one of the most challenging—and freeing—commands in Scripture: “In every thing give thanks.” Not for everything, but in everything. This distinction matters.

Gratitude is not a denial of hardship. It is a declaration of trust. When Paul wrote these words, he was no stranger to suffering, uncertainty, or loss. Yet he understood that thankfulness anchors the heart to God’s faithfulness rather than our circumstances.

Thankfulness shifts our posture. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” gratitude asks, “Where is God in this moment?” It opens our eyes to mercy that sustains, strength that carries, and grace that remains—even when answers do not come quickly.

Living out this verse does not mean life becomes easier. It means our hearts become steadier. Gratitude keeps us rooted in the truth that God is present, purposeful, and working—even in seasons that feel unfinished.

Reflection:

• What situations in your life feel hardest to approach with gratitude right now?
• How might thankfulness change your perspective without minimizing the reality of the challenge?

Daily Wisdom Insight:

Thankfulness does not change the situation—it changes the spirit that walks through it. Gratitude reminds us that God’s presence is not conditional on comfort.

Practical Application:

Today, pause intentionally at three different moments—morning, afternoon, and evening.

At each pause, name one specific thing you are thankful for in that moment. Speak it aloud if possible. Let gratitude become an active practice rather than a passing thought.

End the day by writing one sentence beginning with:
“Today, I thank God for…”

Prayer:

Father,

I thank You—not only for the blessings I celebrate,
but for Your presence in the moments I don’t yet understand.

Teach my heart to remain grateful when answers are delayed
and when the path ahead is still unfolding.

Help me to give thanks in every season,
trusting that You are working all things for good.

Guard my heart against complaint,
and replace it with a spirit of gratitude and peace.

I choose thankfulness today,
not because life is perfect,
but because You are faithful.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Ehud the Judge: The Left-Handed Deliverer God Used Unexpectedly

 

Ehud: The Left-Handed Deliverer

In the era of the Judges, Israel lived in a repeating cycle—disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Again and again, the people turned away from God, and again and again, God responded with mercy. One of the most striking examples of this pattern is found in the story of Ehud, a man whose calling came not through strength or status, but through what many would have considered a limitation.

Ehud’s story is recorded in Judges 3:12–30, and while it is brief, it is powerful, unconventional, and unforgettable. It reminds us that God often chooses the unexpected to accomplish His purposes.

Israel’s Oppression Under Moab:

After the death of Othniel, Israel once again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As a result, God allowed Eglon, king of Moab, to rise against them. Joined by the Ammonites and Amalekites, Eglon defeated Israel and seized control of the City of Palms, commonly identified as Jericho.

For eighteen years, Israel lived under Moabite oppression. They paid tribute, endured humiliation, and lived under foreign rule. The long duration of this oppression suggests not only political domination but spiritual decline. Israel had once again forgotten the God who delivered them from Egypt.

But as always, when the suffering became unbearable, the people cried out to the Lord.

A Deliverer Raised Up:

Scripture tells us that God responded by raising up a deliverer—Ehud son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin. At first glance, Ehud seems an unlikely hero. The Bible notes that he was left-handed, a detail that may seem insignificant today but carried cultural meaning in ancient times.

In a society that favored right-handedness, being left-handed was often seen as a disadvantage or abnormality. Some scholars suggest that the phrase may imply a limitation or impairment of the right hand. Whether physical or cultural, Ehud did not fit the image of a traditional warrior.

Yet God chose him.

This detail alone sets the tone for the entire story: God does not require perfection—He requires obedience.

The Mission Begins:

Israel sent Ehud to deliver tribute to King Eglon, a routine act of submission. But Ehud carried more than payment. He secretly crafted a double-edged dagger, short enough to conceal beneath his clothing. Being left-handed allowed him to strap the weapon to his right thigh, a place guards would not normally search.

After presenting the tribute, Ehud sent the others away. Then he turned back and requested a private audience with the king, claiming to have a secret message from God.

Eglon dismissed his attendants and rose from his seat to hear the message. In that moment, Ehud stepped forward and said, “I have a message from God for you.” He then drew the dagger with his left hand and struck the king.

The act was swift and decisive. Scripture describes the scene in vivid, almost uncomfortable detail—not to glorify violence, but to emphasize the completeness of Israel’s deliverance. The oppressive ruler was gone, and Moab’s grip on Israel was broken.

Escape and Victory:

After the assassination, Ehud locked the doors of the upper room and escaped. By the time Eglon’s servants realized what had happened, Ehud was already far away.

He returned to Israel, sounded the trumpet, and rallied the people. Together, they seized the fords of the Jordan, cutting off Moab’s escape routes. That day, Israel struck down about ten thousand Moabite warriors—described as strong and able men.

The result was decisive victory.

Scripture concludes the account by stating that the land had peace for eighty years—one of the longest periods of rest recorded in the Book of Judges.

Lessons from Ehud’s Story:

1. God Uses What Others Overlook

Ehud’s left-handedness, once seen as a disadvantage, became the very tool God used to bring deliverance. What society labels as weakness or limitation may be the very thing God uses to fulfill His plan.

2. Obedience Matters More Than Appearance

Ehud was not chosen because he looked like a hero. He was chosen because he was willing to obey. God is not searching for perfection—He is searching for hearts that trust Him.

3. Deliverance Sometimes Comes in Unexpected Ways

Ehud’s method was unconventional, even shocking. Yet God used it to free His people. This reminds us that God’s ways are not always comfortable or predictable, but they are always purposeful.

4. God Is Faithful Even When His People Are Not

Israel’s repeated failure did not cancel God’s mercy. Time and again, He responded to their cries. Ehud’s story is another reminder that repentance opens the door to restoration.

Ehud’s Place Among the Judges:

Ehud may not be as well-known as Deborah, Gideon, or Samson, but his impact was profound. His story underscores a central theme of the Book of Judges: God remains sovereign, even in chaos.

The judges were not flawless leaders. They were deeply human, often deeply flawed. Yet God worked through them to preserve His people and move His purposes forward.

Ehud stands as a reminder that courage does not always roar—sometimes it acts quietly, decisively, and faithfully.

A Reflection for Today:

Modern readers may struggle with the violence in Ehud’s story, but it must be understood within its historical and spiritual context. This was a time of survival, warfare, and divine judgment. More importantly, the story points beyond itself to a God who intervenes when His people cry out.

Ehud’s life challenges us to reconsider how we define usefulness, strength, and calling. God may be preparing to use the very part of your life you once tried to hide.

Closing Thought:

Ehud’s story is not about deception or assassination—it is about deliverance. It is about a God who sees His people’s suffering and responds with mercy. And it is about a man who trusted God enough to act when the moment came.

In a broken land, God raised an unexpected deliverer—and peace followed.