Here is the fifth devotional in our 2016 Advent series on “Thanking Jesus.” I thank you for coming back to join us on this journey!
Yesterday, we saw how Joseph gave thanks to God for placing him in Egypt, but after Joseph’s death, new rulers in Egypt enslaved the Israelites for four hundred years until God intervened by sending Moses.
Moses had many opportunities to give thanks. After all, he was adopted out of slavery and into the home of royalty. He also saw God perform a multitude of miracles, beginning with a burning bush and continuing through twelve horrendous plagues. Yet, he leaves no record of gratitude during all this period. Only after the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea does Moses finally offer up a song of praise to God in Exodus chapter 15: “He is my God and I will praise him; he is my father’s God, and I will exalt him!”
His gratitude is infectious. When he finishes his song, his older sister Miriam takes a tambourine and all the women in the crowd join in on the chorus.
Words of appreciation are infectious. When one person gives thanks, people all around start changing their perspectives and join in. Whom can you infect with your thanks today?
