“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 
    his love endures forever. 

Let the one who is wise heed these things 
    and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.”

Psalm 107:1, 43

–

AUGUST 22, 2025

Why should we be thankful? How can we embody a life of gratitude even in the midst of suffering?  

As we reflect more and more on Psalm 107, we see nothing but the overwhelming mercy of God. Even in depravity, even amid rebellion, when we cry out to God with honest hearts He pours mercy upon us, on all of us. Not just for a limited time but for all times.  

No other god or human would behave in such a way, offering mercy simply because of a desperate cry. No other god or human would offer such extravagant and undeserved forgiveness.  

Let’s listen to our brother A.W. Tozer share about God’s mercy: 

 “Mercy is an attribute of God, an infinite and inexhaustible energy within the divine nature which disposes God to be actively compassionate….We must believe that God’s mercy is boundless, free and, through Jesus Christ our Lord, available to us now in our present situation. We may plead for mercy for a lifetime in unbelief, and at the end of our days be still no more than sadly hopeful that we shall somewhere, sometime, receive it. This is to starve to death just outside the banquet hall in which we have been warmly invited.”  

 A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, pp. 90, 92  

We can be thankful and live a life soaked in gratitude because God’s mercy defies human logic. We are thankful because God’s love is never ending and can never be corrupted, dismantled, weakened, or diminished.  

But mostly, we can be filled with joy and gratitude because God is. And because God is exactly who He is. That is enough.  

Questions for reflection and discussion:  

  • Write a letter to God, thanking Him in detail for His mercy.  
  • How have you seen God’s steadfast love in your life, shown through His unconditional love and mercy towards you?  
  • Have you cried out for God’s mercy in raw humility? Are there ways where you, in the words of Tozer, are starving to death just outside the banquet hall God has invited you to? What is holding you back from receiving mercy?  
  • Since God has been above and beyond merciful with us, why do you think we struggle so much being merciful with those around us? Our relatives or friends? Our neighbors, those of a different political party, non-believers?  

Church Reading Plan:

  • Today, August 22 : 1 Samuel 14; Romans 12 
  • Saturday, August 23: 1 Samuel 15; Romans 13 
  • Sunday, August 24: 1 Samuel 16; Romans 14