1 Chronicles 16:1-7
“And they brought in the ark of God and placed it inside the tent which David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.” (1) Expressive costly worship facilitated the return of the ark of God [God’s manifest ruling presence] and were also given at its arrival in Jerusalem. From the place of expressive worship David “…blessed the people in the name of the LORD.” (2b). Then he appointed Levites [spiritual leaders] to “…celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel:…” (4b). Continual joyful costly celebration of worship and giving thanks were central to the ongoing health of Israel. While we often engage in these, we often fail to understand the critical role of giving thanks regularly. Expressions of worship are valuable, but so also are expressions of gratitude critical to maintaining a healthy perspective [especially of Who God is]. We will look at the Psalm of Thanksgiving in the following verses, but for now let us determine to persist in thanksgiving especially in times of trails and loss. “Then on that day David FIRST [capitalized for emphasis] assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the LORD.” (7) Are we giving thanks to God on a continual basis so we are able to bless others of God’s family?