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Psalms 50:23

²³The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"

Do we have anything other than what God has given us? If God has given us everything, life, breath, senses, the earth and its fullness, and much more, then how grateful we should be each and every day. If you are reading this, then He has also given you His word and a hunger for it. But greatest of all, if you are saved, then you know He has given you His only Son. We are so blessed that we behave like spoiled children that expect abundant goodness at all times. If we must endure a little hardship to build our character, we whine and complain. We should be speaking nothing but praise and thanksgiving every waking hour.

Under the old covenant, Israel would offer sacrifices of animals and cakes as an offering of thankfulness. The psalmist is saying that thanksgiving from our heart glorifies God. To acknowledge God's goodness in our life brings Him glory that is rightly due Him. We are not giving Him what should be His when we don't express our gratitude.

If we want to be victorious in life and have God intervene on our behalf, we should live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Most people expect God to answer their prayers and rescue them from situations, but God expects them to correct their ways so He can intervene. God may be keeping the pressure on so that we acknowledge our sin and change our ways. One sin we so often overlook is this sin of ingratitude.

Consider: Make genuine praise and thanksgiving a part of your daily sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15). If you are in a time of testing, praise God for His goodness and see how it helps your attitude. It may very well usher in the salvation of God.