“Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” Psalm 100:3, NKJV.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me” Psalm 103:2, NLT.

Entitlement, meaning the belief we deserve or have the right to certain privileges (Merriam-Webster), can hinder your thankfulness. That view can cause us to approach God as if blesses are due to us. We can think who and what we are is earned, when it has already been given. We can think God must bless us, when His blesses are given. He doesn’t owe us anything; we owe Him everything.

He didn’t have to create you. He doesn’t have to deliver you. He didn’t have to make a way and put food on your table. You didn’t have to survive that wreck, He didn’t have to heal you, He didn’t have to speak to your spouse or answer you like He does. God doesn’t have to do any of it.

When we realize in and of ourselves that we are unworthy and undeserving, and all God has done for us, we can love and reverence God from a real place. You can appreciate Him from a real place. You can go home, humbly praise Him for what you have, and ask God what can I do for you from a real place because you know He’s beyond good to you. It hits home all that God has done for you when He doesn’t have to.

Prayer: Father, I praise you. I’m grateful that you made me and gave me purpose. You bless me each day in so many ways. I will not forget all you do for me. Please forgive me if I’ve operated in entitlement toward you. Remove it from me. I will approach you right at all times, knowing you don’t have to, but you do from your great love toward me. I will love you and serve you with my whole heart. Have your way in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Study: Psalm 111, Deuteronomy 10:14, 1 Corinthians 1:30