Thank God

On Tuesday (July 29, 2025), I was casually checking my social media before getting ready for bed, when I saw that “Pray for Hawaii” was trending. I hadn’t heard about the massive earthquake in Russia or the frantic evacuations that were already underway on the Hawaiian Islands as it was feared that a very large tsunami wave might hit within hours.

As the time drew near, those evacuating were still creeping along the few roads that led away from the threatened areas. Certainly, many desperate prayers were being lifted up by and for those caught in harm’s way. When the first waves arrived a little after midnight (Central Time), to the relief of everyone, the waves were much smaller than feared. After hours of cautious waiting, the tsunami warnings were officially lifted. All those prayers had been answered.

Yet, when the danger passed, I never noticed a “Thank God for sparing Hawaii” trend. In fact, no one was talking about it much at all. Few articles were written, and even fewer re-posted, about the tsunami that didn’t materialize. Isn’t that the way we often react? The natural reaction when trouble is averted, or never comes, is to assume that we didn’t need to pray after all.

The correct response would be to give thanks and praise to the Lord for His great mercy. Our gratitude should be just as fervent as our cries for help. Our thanks, just like our prayers, should be addressed to the Lord. Even as Christians, it is easy to say, “Thank Goodness!” or “How lucky!” instead of honestly saying, “Thank God!” Yes, we shouldn’t use God’s name flippantly, as many do, but we are just as guilty of violating God’s commandments if we ascribe the praise that belongs to God to something else, like generic “goodness” or “luck.” If we pray in the name of the Lord, let us also give thanks in His name.

We can be quick to blame God when bad things happen but slow to acknowledge His grace and mercy. I believe that when all things are revealed in the end, we will be overwhelmed seeing all the ways in which God miraculously intervened on our behalf. The dangers He spared us from will far outweigh the trouble we endured. Like Job, we will be so overwhelmed by God’s wisdom and grace that the only thing we will be able to do is praise the Name of the Lord.

God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good. Let us remember, as Martin Luther wrote in his explanation to the commandment regarding the proper use of God’s Holy Name, to “call upon His Name in every time of need and worship Him with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.” Thank God for His mercy in limiting the damage in Hawaii. Thank God for His mercy and grace given to us daily through Jesus Christ. As the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed in Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”