We Thank Thee Oh God...

" We thank thee, O God, for a prophet
To guide us in these latter days.

We thank thee for sending the gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays.

We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand.

We feel it a pleasure to serve thee
And love to obey thy command."

I really love this hymn. A long time ago, before I actually paid attention to the words of songs, I thought it was just about Prophets and being grateful for them. It would still be a great song if that were true, but there really is so much more to it. The first verse is full of rejoicing and obvious gratitude, "We thank thee"!! for a Prophet, for the gospel, for every blessing, and even to serve and obey!

 Many people may balk at those words, "serve" and "obey". For allot of people they have very negative meanings. But think about it, your best friend has car trouble and you gladly pick her up and help however you can - service. If you have kids you perform service for them all day long, and you're happy to do it because you love them. If you love God than serving Him really is a pleasure! And get this, when you serve your friends and family, you're already serving God.

Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn ^awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the ^bservice of your ^cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

"Obey" may be a little trickier, but lets think about trust here. Growing up we trusted that our parents knew what was best for us, don't touch the stove, don't play in the street, eat your veggies. We are all Gods children, and yes - we are still very young, there is allot for us to learn. He has set guidelines for us. If we trust Him, as children trust parents, we can obey Him joyfully, knowing that it is in our best interest to do so. 

Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. 

I have officially gone on a tangent, but I think it was a good one!