We’ve spent the last couple of weeks on how we can go deeper in being “thankful” to God.  The focus has been on what God has done or what God has given to us. I hope that these blogs have stirred some ideas and thoughts to help us in the all important spiritual practice of giving thanks.

Today, one day before Thanksgiving, I want to encourage us to give thanks to God … for God.

Behind all the gifts, blessings, people, and providential circumstances is the One who loves us so deeply. I don’t know why He loves us; that is perhaps the greatest mystery of the universe. But He does. And I am thankful for His love.

But God’s love is just the beginning of who God is. In a day and age where the words “Awesome” and “Amazing” are far too overused, they are apt descriptions of the One True God. Here is a list of 50 awesome and amazing qualities of our God, with their Scripture references. I encourage you to read them reflectively, stopping at those qualities that resonate in your heart, and then give Him thanks for who He is.

1. Holy – Psalm 99:5, Isaiah 6:3, Rev 4:8

2. All Powerful – Psalm 93:4

3. All Knowing – Psalm 1:3

4. Glorious – Psalm 111:3

5. All-Wise – Romans 16:27

6. Sovereign – 2 Samuel 7:22

7. The Healer – Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3

8. The Provider – Genesis 22:14

9. The Sustainer of Life – Psalm 55:22, Acts 17:28

10. Creator – Genesis 1:1

11. Redeemer – Psalm 19: 14, Psalm 103:4

12. Savior – Psalm 118:25

13. Forgiver of Sin – Psalm 32:2, Psalm 103, Mark 4

14. Righteous – Psalm 7:11, 17, Psalm 71:15

15. Just/Judge – Psalm 75:7, Psalm 96:13

16. Eternal/Everlasting – 1 Chronicles 16:36

17. The Great I AM – Exodus 3:14

18. Alpha and the Omega – Revelation 1:8

19. With Us (Emmanuel) – Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14

20. The Lord of the Heavenly Armies – 2 Kings 6:17, Matthew 26:53

21. Jealous – Exodus 20:5

22. Never Tiring – Isaiah 40:28

23. The One who renews strength – Isaiah 40:31

24. Unfailing in love – Psalm 62:12, Psalm 108:4

25. Compassionate – Psalm 116:5

26. Merciful – Psalm 57:1

27. Gracious – Psalm 67:1

28. The One who knows all about me – Psalm 139:1

29. The Everlasting Lover – Jeremiah 31:3

30. Ever Present – Psalm 139:7ff

31. The Great Shepherd – Psalm 23:1, John 10:14, Hebrews 13:20

32. The Bread of Life – John 6:35

33. The Living Water – John 4:14

34. The Resurrection and the Life – John 11:25

35. The Way, the Truth and the Life – John 14:6

36. Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6

37. Wonderful Counselor – Isaiah 9:6

38. Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6

39. Our Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6

40. The Ancient of Days – Daniel 7:9

41. Lord of the Wind and the Waves – Mark 4:41

42. The Word – John 1:1

43. The Spirit – John 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:17

44. The One who works everything together for the good of those who love Him – Rom 8:28

45. My Banner/Victor – Exodus 17:15 , Psalm 60:12

46. The Confounder of Evil – Psalm 34:16

47. The Promise Giver/Keeper – Psalm 145:13, 2 Peter 1:4

48. The One who Hears my cry/prayer – Psalm 6:8-9

49. My Rock – Psalm 19:14, Psalm 28:1

50. My Refuge – Psalm 9:9, Psalm 59:10

I pray that you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. May it be full of giving thanks; not just turkey and trimmings (although that is good – in moderation). I’ll be taking a break from blogging the next few days, but I’ll pick it up next week!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His steadfast love endures forever!