Unveiling Biblical Gratitude: 6 Mighty Figures in the Bible

As we anticipate another year of Thanksgiving celebration, let’s explore the manifestation of gratitude in the pages of Scripture. God has provided us with His Word for the purpose of learning from it, undergoing transformation, and being guided by the Holy Spirit within us. Today, we delve into the lessons of gratitude from individuals in the Bible.

1. Jesus: The Epitome of Gratitude: We commence with Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of gratitude. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus exemplified perfect thankfulness on four notable occasions:

• In Rejection and Acceptance: Jesus expressed gratitude to God for revealing truths to the humble while hiding them from the prideful (Luke 10:21). This teaches us that, like Jesus, we can maintain gratitude regardless of how the gospel is received.
• Thankful That God Hears Us: In John 11:41-43, just before the miracle of Lazarus, Jesus offered thanks to God, emphasizing the value of expressing gratitude for the assurance that God hears our prayers.
• Before They Ate His Miracle Meal: Jesus, before feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 15:36, Mark 8:6, John 6:11), demonstrated gratitude for God’s provision and miracles.
• Before the Last Supper: Prior to the institution of communion, Jesus expressed gratitude to God in Matthew 26:26-27, even after revealing Judas as His betrayer. His act serves as a model for us to be grateful for His sacrifice, finding hope and thankfulness even in life’s challenges.

2. Job: A Model of Thanksgiving in Turmoil: The renowned worship song “Blessed be Your Name” by Matt Redman finds its inspiration in Job 1:20-21. The scripture narrates Job’s response to immense turmoil: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'” Despite facing profound loss, Job chose to praise God, acknowledging His authority in giving and taking away. Job’s gratitude amid grief serves as a powerful example for believers, demonstrating the transformative potential of allowing struggles to glorify the Lord.
3. Hannah: Gratitude Amid Sacrifice: Following years of infertility and sorrow, Hannah expressed her gratitude to the Lord upon the provision of her son Samuel. Despite the blessing, her decision to fulfill a promise and dedicate Samuel to the Lord’s service at Eli’s temple revealed a level of gratitude that surpasses ordinary comprehension. In her words, “And she said, ‘Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child, I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord'” (1 Samuel 1:26-28).
4. David: The Poetic Thankfulness: Renowned for his continuous expressions of gratitude in the Psalms, David’s Psalm 100 stands out. Verses 4-5 declare, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” David, through poetry and songwriting, provided a creative avenue to praise God, inspiring believers to express their gratitude in diverse and imaginative ways.

5. Mary: Choosing Gratitude Amidst Uncommon Circumstances Mary’s response to the extraordinary news of her pregnancy by the Holy Spirit before marriage was not fear or anger, but gratitude. Despite the weight of the responsibility placed upon her, Mary joyfully accepted her role in carrying the Savior of the world. In her words, “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Subsequently, she expressed her gratitude through a song of praise in Luke 1:46-55.
6. The Samaritan Leper: A Singular Return of Gratitude During Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, he healed ten men suffering from leprosy. Despite the severity of this disease, only one returned to express gratitude. Luke 17:15-19 recounts the event, stating, “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'” These examples from Biblical history highlight three recurring themes:

• Gratitude in the Midst of Suffering: As we approach this holiday season, some may find themselves navigating challenging trials, worn down by loss, grief, or personal struggles. There might be a weariness that makes expressing gratitude to God challenging. Reflecting on the examples from Scripture can serve as an encouragement to maintain a spirit of thankfulness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Embracing a life of praise during tough times can bring valuable blessings.
• An Invitation to Praise God: The individuals in the Bible were summoned into worship of a holy and marvelous Lord. Similarly, each day presents an invitation for us to praise Him. Luke 19:40 emphasizes this by stating, “He answered, ‘I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.’” When we choose to keep our gratitude silent, even nature itself is compelled to cry out in worship. Missing out on our greatest calling of worshiping God is unnecessary, as we are created for this purpose and invited into it each day.
• Answered Prayers: Despite the varied outcomes, expressing hopes and desires to the Lord through prayers and gratitude, recognizing that God hears and cares for us.

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