Thanksgiving Every Day
Exodus 38-40
“The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them” —Exodus 39:42, 43.
I’m glad those last four words were included in the sacred record.
Acknowledging a job well done is like putting icing on a cake. The cake is great without the icing, but oh the joy that a finishing touch of sweetness brings.
The labourers had done an incredible job of the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, of the preparation of the priestly garments—just read for yourself the extensive description that covers a large part of the book of Exodus. Everything was done “just as the Lord commanded…,” a phrase repeated an amazing number of times throughout the book.
Can you imagine the workers holding their corporate breath as their leader inspected the finished product? Would he find some fault, some flaw, some tiny detail that didn’t quite measure up? Would the shiny things not be shiny enough, or the coloured things not quite bright enough? (Sometimes we are more critical that even God might be expected to be.)
But Moses found nothing to complain about, nothing to send back for a little more work. Everything was just as it should be. He could have just nodded, or given instructions to use all that had been prepared without saying another word. But he didn’t. “Moses blessed them.”
He said thank you. He expressed gratitude. He was appreciative.
For most of us, just a sincere word of appreciation for a job well-done, goes a long, long way in building and cementing a relationship. We look for just a word from others, but sometimes forget that others might be looking for a similar word from us.
“Thank you” is simple enough to be easily forgotten, powerful enough to break barriers and forge friendships. Even God appreciates hearing it.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” —Psalm 100:4, 5.
“The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them” —Exodus 39:42, 43.
I’m glad those last four words were included in the sacred record.
Acknowledging a job well done is like putting icing on a cake. The cake is great without the icing, but oh the joy that a finishing touch of sweetness brings.
The labourers had done an incredible job of the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, of the preparation of the priestly garments—just read for yourself the extensive description that covers a large part of the book of Exodus. Everything was done “just as the Lord commanded…,” a phrase repeated an amazing number of times throughout the book.
Can you imagine the workers holding their corporate breath as their leader inspected the finished product? Would he find some fault, some flaw, some tiny detail that didn’t quite measure up? Would the shiny things not be shiny enough, or the coloured things not quite bright enough? (Sometimes we are more critical that even God might be expected to be.)
But Moses found nothing to complain about, nothing to send back for a little more work. Everything was just as it should be. He could have just nodded, or given instructions to use all that had been prepared without saying another word. But he didn’t. “Moses blessed them.”
He said thank you. He expressed gratitude. He was appreciative.
For most of us, just a sincere word of appreciation for a job well-done, goes a long, long way in building and cementing a relationship. We look for just a word from others, but sometimes forget that others might be looking for a similar word from us.
“Thank you” is simple enough to be easily forgotten, powerful enough to break barriers and forge friendships. Even God appreciates hearing it.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” —Psalm 100:4, 5.
So true. Small words carry a big punch -- Thank you, I love you, I'm sorry, I forgive you...
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