Thanking and Praising

If we could see what God is doing in us and for us, we would not stop thanking Him and praising Him.

Some time ago, when I thought I was going through a rough time, I learned the difference between praising and thanking God.

When we say, "Let it be done to me according to Your Word," we say this with confidence and trust only because we know Him as He is, and our knowing is the source of our praise.....or acclamations for His Goodness, His Beauty, His truth, His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and power.

When we thank Him, it is for specific applications toward us of His nature--which we have been praising.  Not only is Truth His very nature, but He has given us truth in the person of Jesus, limited not by His ability to give, but by our capacity to receive.  Not only is He Love, but His very own love for Himself and for people is shed abroad in our hearts by the Gift of His very Spirit placed in us.

We praise Him for Who He is; we thank Him that He pours out His nature in us.

We praise another person for his/her innate goodness, but we thank that person when we have been the recipient of that goodness, in a specific way.  A friend of mine is known for her ability to make wonderful salads; when she brings me one of them, I thank her profusely, and devour the gift, afterwards confirming her reputation as a great salad-maker and contributing to the universal chorus of praise.