Applying 7 themes of Sukkot to my daily life! Day 3: This day reminds me to Be Thankful! The feast of Sukkot was a time to thank God for the fall harvest. In fact, the Puritan settlers based the first Thanksgiving on Sukkot. Traditionally, the Hallel is recited daily while holding and shaking the four species (etrog, lulav, myrtle, willow). The Hallel is a song of Praise and Thanksgiving consisting of Psalms 113-118 plus additional verses.
Praise and Thanksgiving are so critically important in our daily lives. We are instructed in Psalm 100:4 to enter his gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. We are recognizing who God is, His holiness and His character, and acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him. All of our accomplishments, successes, and possessions are only because of what He has given us and how He has blessed us. (Deut. 8:17-18; 1 Chron 29:12-14; 1 Cor. 4:7)
Praise and Thanksgiving are also powerful spiritual weapons that God has given us to be victorious in the spiritual battle waged against us by our enemy, Satan. God inhabits our praises (Ps. 22:3). When we choose to praise and thank him out loud continually throughout the day, it changes our spiritual atmosphere. We can always find reasons to praise and thank Him. Regardless of our circumstances, God never changes, and He is always worthy of our praise. We can also thank Him in advance in accordance with His will, and we can call things that are not as though they were (Rom. 4:17)!
To help you get started, here are just a few examples of how you can praise and thank God out loud all throughout your day: “Thank you Lord that…..”
– all of Your ways are loving and faithful (Ps 25:10)
– everything from You is good and perfect (James 1:17)
– Your plans for me are good, You desire to bless me (Jer 29:11)
– You are for me, not against me (Rom 8:31)
– I am accepted in You and highly favored (Eph 1:6)
– You will provide for all my needs (Phil 4:19)
– You will enable me to get everything done in Your will (Heb 13:21; Phil 4:13)
– everything You created is good (1 Tim 4:4)
– You are good, Your mercy endures forever (Ps 118:1)
– You are working all things for good in my life today (Rom 8:28)
– You never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5)
– Holy Holy Holy – the whole earth is full of Your glory (Is 6:3)
– I am a daughter/son of the King, I have all I need (Rom 8:14-16)
– I can enter into Your presence (Heb 4:16)
– Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light (Matt 11:30)
This week of Sukkot, practice Praising and Thanking Him out loud, all throughout your day. It will change your spiritual atmosphere, draw you into closer intimacy with Him, and you will truly experience the joy of Sukkot!
Chag Sameach!
