By Isaiah White
In a world often defined by uncertainty, anxiety, and rapid change, the call of Hebrews 12:28 rings out with profound clarity and comfort:
“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire“ (Hebrews 12:28–29).
This verse does not merely suggest thankfulness; it roots it in the unshakable reality of God’s eternal kingdom. Gratitude, then, becomes more than a seasonal sentiment, it is the rightful posture and a powerful weapon for citizens of this enduring realm.
How do we cultivate this essential thankfulness? Scripture illuminates at least five foundational pillars upon which our gratitude securely rests.
Thankful for who He is
The deepest wellspring of gratitude flows not just from what God does, but from who He is. God is Yahweh, the Great I Am. He is the self-existent, eternal God. He needs nothing, not even us. And yet, He is present. He is here, now. Though holy and set apart, God interacts with our world out of love and grace, revealing Himself so that He may be worshipped.
God is under no obligation to remain close to us, to work in our lives or to write us into His story, yet He chooses to do so.
David declared: “I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17). We thank Him for His holiness, justice, mercy, faithfulness, immutability, and sovereign power. His character is eternally praiseworthy.
Paul breaks into doxology over “His indescribable gift!”, Jesus Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 9:15). The ultimate expression of God’s wondrous work is the gift of salvation through His Son. Revelation gives us a glimpse of eternity’s anthem:
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign” (Revelation 11:17).
Thankfulness for who God is and what He has done, especially in redemption and ultimate victory, lies at the heart of true worship (Habakkuk 2:14).
Gift of community
Scripture consistently directs our gratitude toward the family of God. God has used His people to build His kingdom. The visible Church, the gathered people of God, is a sign of His greatness. It is something the world watches, angels observe, and God delights in.
Paul exemplifies this kind of gratitude:
“I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4).
To the Ephesians, he writes: “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16).
To the Philippians: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3–5).
Our brothers and sisters in Christ are not incidental; they are God’s gracious provision, for encouragement, growth, accountability, and shared mission.
Jesus modelled intentional community. While large crowds often followed Him, He deliberately cultivated closeness with the twelve disciples. They were not just followers, they were companions sharing life with Him.
John 6:1–3: “Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples.”
Thanking God for the faith, gifts, fellowship, and Gospel partnership of others strengthens bonds of love and reminds us we are not alone in this unshakable kingdom.
For unshakeable Kingdom
Hebrews 12:28 calls us to active, worshipful gratitude because we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. When the foundations of this world tremble, our gratitude remains firm, anchored in the eternal realities of God’s character, His provision, answered prayers, blessings, and people.
Cultivating gratitude in these areas is not naive optimism. It is a defiant declaration of trust from citizens who know their King, believe His promises, and rejoice in His sovereign rule.
Let us therefore be continually thankful, offering worship that is truly acceptable to our unshakable God, with reverence and awe.
Power of gratitude
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
Let us give thanks, not just for what God has done, but for who He is, the people He gives us, and the eternal kingdom to which we belong.
