“Be Thankful.” That is easier said than done, especially when things get difficult. We know that God uses circumstances we would not choose to make us more like Him; we even counsel others this truth. It is much harder to look at ourselves in the mirror of this truth, but we must. We are more than 45 days into the world of Covid-19. Initially, it was easy to complain that changes were too fast, and now, with much more information about the virus, it is easy to complain that we aren’t going back to “normal” soon enough. My complaint shows my pride. Humility and gratitude go together, lost gratitude results from lost humility. Humility is lost when pride dominates, evidenced by complaint in the place of praise.

The psalmist praises or expresses gratitude toward God in Psalm 28. David writes, 

“Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him (Psalm 28:6-7). The structure of the psalm is pretty simple and will provide a constructive context to David’s praise.

In verses 1-5, David prays about his circumstances. We don’t know the specifics of his situation, but they have brought him low. David prays in humility.

Ps 28:1To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

He shows humility in his desperation and urgency; he is confident that he will die (the pit) if God doesn’t answer his prayers. Humility is the foundation of thankfulness. Perhaps we are slow to be grateful because we are slow to pray. We don’t pray because we are still fixing, planning, and trying to stay one step ahead. In our grasp for control, we often push humility aside, and we don’t pray at all. David humbly begs for mercy.

Ps 28:2Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

In verses 6-7, David praises God. We must note that David is not giving praise for God fixing the situation, but David praises believing God hears the prayer of the humble. Still in the middle of what looks like death, David declares, “Blessed be the LORD” (Verse 6) and sings (Verse 7). How? The humble psalmist trusts in the LORD. You can hear his faith:

  • “For He has heard.”
  • “The LORD is my strength and shield”
  • “in Him my heart trusts”
  • “I am helped”
  • “my heart exults”

When we are proud, proved by our complaint, we don’t have any use for faith. Sure, we still want our situation fixed, but fixed our way, on our terms, and our timing. If true humility has been worked into our hearts, then we will pray, and we will praise God for hearing our prayer. This truth really challenges me, because I often pray over challenging circumstances, but all too often, complain as quickly I say “amen.” I need to correct my thinking with God’s truth and go back to prayer.

In verses 8-9, David turned his attention to the community. His own need, prayer, and praise was the same need, prayer, and praise that all of Israel had. With eyes lifted from self and situation, David’s public praise offers a few more lessons for us.

We have no strength of our own, and it is vain to trust in our selves, stupid pride. “The LORD is the strength of his people, He is the saving refuge of His anointed (Verse 8). God has power, He is in control, and he will do good! Humility and gratitude how together. 

We do have God’s presence, and He will save, “Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever” (Verse 9). We should affirm that God has a plan in our trial, but we must also claim His shepherding presence and provision in the test. In our pride, we feel we are alone, no one understands, and no one can help, but God our Shepherd, He is with us, and He will save.

When our hearts are humbly set upon these truths, by faith, we will give praise instead of a complaint. Our church will benefit when our hearts are humble and grateful. This situation provides us with the opportunity to praise God together for His work as we anticipate the coming perfect rule and reign of Christ.

Thankfulness will also increase our testimony for Christ. Our lost world cannot be thankful, ”For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy” (2 Timothy 3:2). At a time when our world only knows how to complain, our praise will allow us to preach the gospel.

Ask yourself, am I thankful for Covid-19? A simple gauge for response: Humility or pride? Praise or complaint? 

May God continue His work in us. 

Ps 44:8In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah

Ps 138:2I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.