I sat with my hands folded, struggling to maintain composure as I listened to the worship team sing, “Give thanks with a grateful heart.” Truthfully, my heart felt far from grateful and more like a chunk of cheese — sliced, diced, and shredded down to the core. It was a hard season. One that thrusts you into the hands of the Father — clinging, begging, trusting, because you have no other option.

Have you been there too? The term “give thanks” sounds easy, doesn’t it? If we were to simply remember everything God has done for us, then this attitude of gratitude should be effortless. Easy peasy. Just give thanks. Sounds a little glib if you ask me. Gratefulness doesn’t always work that way.

True thankfulness is rooted deep. It’s not something that magically appears on our tongues.

Rather, it’s a response of the heart. It’s a rendering of praise for who is behind it all — the good, the bad, the hard. And that’s a wee bit problematic because we don’t always like what’s been going on.

In Psalm 136, we’re reminded not only of who God is but also of what He has done. He is the “God of gods” and the “Lord of lords.” He is over all. He is the one true God. But this declaration doesn’t make Him a distant God. Quite the opposite. Every verse has this powerful refrain reminding us of His kind and comforting love — a love that goes on and on, covering His people and covering our sins. Oh, what mercy! Oh, what grace! How can we not give thanks?

This compelling psalm challenges us to remember creation and all its glory, to look back and soak in the wonder of the making of the heavens and the spreading of the waters. It beckons us to reminisce about the richness of His love from the depths of history — the astounding exodus out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and into the wilderness. A miraculous escape like none other.

This isn’t another laborious account of deliverance, but a glorious reflection of His might where God acted on behalf of His people. He is a God who provides and makes a way where there seems to be no way. For that, we can surely give thanks.

It is with this foundation of remembrance that our hearts are called to respond. We give because He has given. Oh, so much! Our gratitude becomes a beautiful offering, conveying our gratefulness to the Giver of life as an expression of our love. Let’s respond wholeheartedly, echoing this chorus of adoration: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let’s dole out thanks from the depths of our souls for all He is, for all He has done, and for all He has yet to do — even when circumstances are less than ideal and our hearts feel a bit like cheese.

This devotion is by Anne-Renee Gumley, as published in the (in)courage Devotional Bible. It has been edited from its original form.

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On Saturdays this summer, we’re sharing our favorite Psalms + select devotions from the (in)courage Devotional Bible. We’re loving our summer Saturdays (in) the Psalms with you!