Anytime someone gives me a gift, it is important to me that they know how gracious I am. I try to always make sure that I tell them ‘thank you’ and show my appreciation. It’s the right thing to do! A gift is something that is given to you out of the kindness of that person’s heart. It is not something that you deserve or that you have earned, or otherwise it is not a gift. But, receiving a gift is supposed to be special. In fact, I feel loved and appreciated especially when I receive a gift from someone unexpected. It means that person has thought of me in a special way.

In Psalm 67:1-7, the Psalmist recognizes the gifts that God has blessed him or her. With those blessings, the Psalmist prays that the people will show their thanks and praise for the gifts and the blessings that God has given. The Psalmist prays, “Let all the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you…God has blessed us…May God continue to bless us…j” (Psalm 67:3, 5-6).

Why should we treat God, who has blessed us with overflowing love and gifts of grace, any different than we treat those who have given us gifts of their love for us? We try to do what is right by making sure that we thank those who have given us gifts, but do we always properly thank and praise God who sent his Son to do die for us – who gives us the gift of His amazing love, grace, and mercy?

Let us pray…Gracious God, I do not thank you as I should for all the blessings that you have bestowed upon me. Help me to remember that your Son, Jesus Christ died just for me just so that I may receive your gift of grace. In your name I pray, Amen.