The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

"He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors God.

Why? Because when I'm thankful, truly thankful (not just saying it), I keep a much lighter hold on the things of this world. In thanking Him, I come to recognize that the Lord is providing all, so I stop striving. I no longer need to exert myself, or use up all my energy, or struggle and fight to get things, look good, or receive honors.

I don't need to impress God.

I need to obey Him.

That pretty much takes my hands off the steering wheel of my own life. It used to seem scary to me to be "hands off", and I can't claim to have totally relinquished that desire to run things, but I can assure you that I have seen how the Lord's guidance prospers me in those things that are most important. 

When I stop and thank Him for what He sees fit to provide and for His guidance, I "order my way aright", or to put it another way, when I keep to God's path I truly prosper in life. 

Hands off.