A Letter of Thanksgiving

God, Oh Most High, how can I thank you? Creator of the heavens, Lord of the living and the dead what words could express my gratitude for your excellence? Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning, every good and perfect gift comes from you.  You who are higher than the heavens, whose voice is like the sound of many waters, have chosen to give ear to your people. Therefore I long to give you thanks!

If I dance like David until there is no strength left within me would that give you thanks? If I sing with the voice of an angel and play upon the harp or flute where the sound is perfect pitch would that honor you? If I give all my possessions to the poor and live a life of destitution would your glory be revealed?

Even in my thoughts of how to give you thanks, you have directed me through your Word. You guide my steps and light a path for my feet. You lift up my hands and strengthen my feeble knees.  You lead me by the still waters and restore my soul. You teach me your ways that I may walk in your truth. You unite my heart to fear your name. You are my joy in the morning and my comfort when I lay upon my bed at night. Yet, how can I thank you?

I was stranger to your covenant of promise having no hope and without God in the world. I conducted myself in the lusts of my flesh; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and my mind as a child of wrath.  While dead in trespass and sin Christ died for me. My glorious Lord, how do I thank you?

Your Word has told me what is good and what you require of me, to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with the Lord my God. Your Word has told me that you desire mercy and not sacrifice. Therefore, I will thank you through obedience to what you desire. I will submit my whole heart and search for you with all my soul. I will lift up clean hands (my actions) with a pure heart and love you with all sincerity and no hypocrisy. If I live the rest of my life each day in obedience to your Word, surely I would begin to say, thank you?