Articles
Modeh Ani L'Fanecha
We are rightly critical of pure traditionalism. By that I mean doctrine and practice based on the way things have always been done without scriptural/Biblical instruction, example, or inference. The practice of doing things only because “it’s the way we’ve always done it” and holding that tradition up with equal importance to God’s word is a symptom of scriptural ignorance, a selfish choice of personal comfort over God’s will, and a misunderstanding of true piety in the same way the Pharisees missed the mark.
That said, sometimes tradition can serve as a useful supplement in practice to the doctrine of God’s word and His authority. It can help us stay organized – There is no New Testament command regarding what time we should meet together on the first day of the week, only the example and instruction to meet on that day. A “tradition” of meeting at the same time each week helps us to have routine and helps to maintain decency and order (1 Cor. 14:40). Traditionally, churches are setup in a Greek style, with a stage at one end and seats facing that stage/podium. This likely looks a little different than the meetings of our first century brethren, but it in no way contradicts or interrupts the sound work of New Testament worship. It is our tradition and, as long as our worship is “in Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), it pleases God just as it would if our seats were facing the center of the room like an old Jewish synagogue.
There is a Jewish tradition that I recently heard about that I wanted to share with you. It is one that, in practice you are free to ignore. I am not advocating a change in your daily devotion or prayer life. I will say, however that the principle that this tradition reinforces is one that is vital to the proper perspective and healthy outlook each christian should strive towards. According to a Jewish Rabbi by the name of Joshua Franklin, the first words that a person should speak when they wake up in the morning are (in Hebrew) Modeh Ani L’Fanecha – literally translated: “Thanks I give before you”. This seems like a strange way of saying essentially, “I thank You, Lord”, but that phrasing in the Hebrew is intentional. Mr. Franklin mentioned in his explanation that the word of gratitude (Modeh) should come before the word of self (Ani). The fact that self so often comes before all other considerations is one of our great failings.
It is easy to be thankful when things are going the way I want. It is easier to express gratitude when I feel like MY needs are being met to MY satisfaction and I am happy. It may be an unconscious choice, but we all probably from time to time make our gratitude contingent upon our level of satisfaction. It’s easy to neglect gratitude when things are not going well. It is a natural reaction, but I would argue a harmful and selfish one. Gratitude is owed, no matter what our current state is.
Gratitude is not a repetitious act to perform. It is not an ideal that we hold up as a virtue that we speak highly of yet neglect personally. It is not a trait to be ignored as though it has little value. Gratitude is the source of genuine love and the motivator of genuine faith. Gratitude for our daily needs being met is proper. Gratitude for the greater blessings if this life like family is also important. But Gratitude for the truly immeasurable and undeserved should be something that fills our hearts no matter what trials we face, what heartache we suffer, or what pains we endure.
No matter what your immediate situation is when you awaken each day, whether it is a comfortable bed in a warm home, or a cardboard box under a bridge somewhere, you have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, the Son of the living God. You have been loved since before you were born into this world. You have been given an eternal soul and the opportunity to spend eternity with your Creator and Savior. How could you not have Gratitude?
Words are cheap and vain repetitions are harmful (Matt. 6:7). I’m not suggesting that we wake up each morning and repeat a few words in Hebrew. If that would be a helpful tradition for you to be reminded of the gratitude that we should have each day, knock yourself out. What is important to remember is that we should all feel and express that gratitude in some way each day. “Thanks I give before you, Lord”
1 Thes. 5:16f - Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Col 3:15f - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
