Heman and Jeduthun

“Heman and Jeduthun…were designated by name, to give thanks to the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 16:41 NKJV

There is a good chance you have never heard of these two men; they’re among the Bible’s more inconspicuous characters. In the wonderful worship choirs of King David, they were appointed to give thanks. Heman and Jeduthun “were under the king’s authority” (1 Chronicles 25:6). It was literally their job. And it’s your job too! You’re under the authority of the King of kings, who commands you to “be thankful,” “offer to God thanksgiving,” “come before His presence with thanksgiving,” “enter into His gates with thanksgiving,” and “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (Colossians 3:15; Psalm 50:14; 95:2; 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV). Eugene Peterson wrote, “The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise” (Philippians 3:3 MSG). Have you ever been so moved that you sprang into spontaneous worship? Nothing is more thrilling. You will never know what you’re missing if you don’t praise your Creator with your every fibre. Sing, lift up your hands, cry out, laugh, whatever—if you do it in a spirit of praise, thanksgiving, and gratefulness, God will love it. Plus, thanksgiving leads to better physical, emotional, and mental health. The Creator of your soul is a master psychologist. He knows that thanksgiving is not only appropriate but therapeutic. It’s hard to be thankful and at the same time be grumpy, critical, or ill tempered.

Bible in a year: Genesis 20-22 and Matthew 6:16-34