And Forget Not All His Benefits: Thanksgiving is a Practice

When was the last time we had an "easy" year? The past few years seem to have been full of difficulty and uncertainty for so many of us. It’s tempting to look back and see only the loss, stress, and scarcity. But what if, especially in such seasons, we need to remind ourselves of the deeper reality of God’s present goodness?

This Thanksgiving, what if we paused to see through the lens of gratitude instead of scarcity?

David's Reminder of God's Goodness

Psalm 103:1-5 offers us a timely and transformative perspective. In these verses, David models for us what it looks like to cultivate a grateful heart, even when life is hard.

He begins by speaking directly to his own soul: “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” David calls himself to remember, to linger, and to let the truth of God’s goodness penetrate every part of his being.

This passage is more than just a list of spiritual benefits; it’s a litany of reasons to choose gratitude, no matter the circumstances. David’s reminder to “forget not all his benefits” hints at how easy it is to lose track of what God has already done and is continuing to do in our lives. David counters this forgetfulness by rehearsing the many ways God is good: he forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies, and renews. Each phrase is a gift worth recalling in the light of prayerful reflection.

Ministry Through The Lens of Thanksgiving

As Christian leaders, we often focus on what’s broken and needs fixing—whether in our congregations, our companies, our communities, or our personal lives.

But David invites us to pause and shift our focus to God’s goodness. Thanksgiving is not about denying the reality of hardship; it’s about remembering that hardship is not the only reality. God’s presence, love, and mercy are just as real—maybe even more real—in times of struggle.

As you enter this Thanksgiving season, take time to linger in the richness of these verses. Let them be more than words on a page. Allow them to shape your heart’s posture, moving you from weariness to worship. Start by considering the benefits David lists: forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, satisfaction, and renewal. How have you experienced these in your life, even in recent months?

When we cultivate the discipline of gratitude, we begin to see God’s hand more clearly in our past and present. Praise becomes a natural overflow when we’re captured by the beauty of his benefits. We’re reminded that no matter what challenges we face, God is at work—healing, restoring, and renewing us.

This Thanksgiving, instead of getting caught up in what has been hard, let’s choose to remember how God has been good. Let’s remember the benefits we’ve received and continue to receive. Like David, let’s talk to our own souls, reminding them to “forget not all his benefits” and allowing the goodness of God to be our focus.

This is the kind of thanksgiving that fosters deep trust and unhurried joy.

Questions to Reflect On

• Which of God's benefits in Psalm 103:1-5 do you recognize in your life this year? Which ones resonate most deeply with you right now?

• Which of God's benefits do you recognize in the life of your church and your ministry? How might your church express gratitude together?

• What is a way in which you can tangibly practice gratitude for God's benefits this Thanksgiving?

Originally posted as "Reclaiming Thanksgiving" on Alan's blog Unhurried Living on Nov 27, 2024. Updated and reposted with permission.