The Importance of Giving Thanks

As an older man, Daniel the prophet had become an adviser to Darius, the king of Babylon. Darius valued Daniel’s counsel, but Daniel had some competition. There were other advisers to the king. They didn’t believe in Daniel’s God, and they didn’t like the fact that the king favored Daniel. They wanted to get rid of him.

The problem, for them at least, was there were no skeletons in Daniel’s closet, no sin for them to uncover. They knew the only way they could trip up Daniel was to catch him doing something in regard to his God. So they got the king to unwittingly sign a degree that no one could pray to anyone except the king himself.

When Daniel heard about it, he went to his house, opened up the windows as he always did, and got down on his knees and prayed. Even more, he gave thanks to God.

It’s important to give thanks to God. I think it’s great when people pray over their food at home and even in public places. When you’re in a restaurant, bow your head and thank the Lord for your meal. It is a great witness to other people.

Even before we have the answer we may be hoping for, we are to give thanks to God. And then what happens? Philippians 4:7 tells us: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).

If you put everything in God’s hands, trust Him, and rejoice, even before you know the outcome, peace will guard your heart. It is the peace that passes all human understanding. And it is a peace that God can give you, no matter what you’re facing right now.