THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE

Thankfulness, a word that has lost its meaning in the last few years. People don’t thank others anymore. Children are not thankful to parents or other adults. This is the way of our culture today. I guess it could be put this way, (I don’t have to thank anyone, I did it my way in my strength). It’s all about me, myself, and I.

What a wrong concept that is. If it were not for God and His mercy and Grace, none of us would be here today. Giving thanks has been around since the beginning of time. It can be traced back to the Old Testament, it was called a THANK OFFERING in Lev. 7:11,15. This was given to the Lord for blessings already provided to Israel and their needs.

This theme runs all through the Bible starting with Leviticus and ends in Revelation. These offerings were given at the free will of the peoples. Free Will Offering.

Here are other scripture verses emphasizing giving thanks to the Lord.

Psa. 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psa. 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We live in a country that has been blessed abundently. So much so that we can give aid to other countries as they need it. Even now with our current state of the economy, we are not standing in bread lines or waiting for hours at the gas pump. We are blessed.

Has God stopped supplying our needs? Of course not. Then the question arises, are we thanking Him for what we have? Or are we complaining and fretting about what we don’t have? I found this to be a eye opening verse;

1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The question will arise:

Does this mean we are to bless the Lord for the difficulties we encounter. NO!

In everything give thanks: We don’t give thanks for the problem, but we give thanks in the problem. We recognize God’s sovereign hand is in charge, and not blind fate or chance.

It is a sacrafice to give God thanks while we walk though a trial or test. We all face tribulation, look at;

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.

It may seem like a small gesture to thank others and especially to give our Heavenly Father the recognition He so rightly deserves. I fined it necessary to do it for everything, small or great. The giving of thanks to our God who has saved us, delivered us, set us free from bondages and sin is, to me, the very least I can do is honor Him with a thankful heart. I want you to read a story that may clarify what I mean: Luke 17:11-19

In the case of the poor Samaritan, it was clear that he was not only healed, but saved, as his gratitude and worship indicated. Do we thank God, not only for His miracles, but for His daily providence?

Ingratitude did not stop Jesus from healing all 10 Lepers from their diseses, but, thankfulness brought wholeness and salvation for the one who returned and gave thanks for his healing. This man that returned to give thanks, recieved more than those that did not.

We are willing to give God thanks for the great things he does for us. What about all the little things He does every day for us? The parking spot close to the door on a rainy day? The short line at the grocery store when you’re in a hurry? Just to name a few. We need to be more thankful in our daily lives toward others but mostly to our Heavenly Father that blesses us with every spiritual and material gift. (2 Peter 1:3)

Prayer

Father, thank you for all that You provide for us every day. Help us to continually recognize Your gifts and blessings at all times, regardless of the curcumstances we may be facing. Father, we need a fresh awakening of your presence, and your love for us. Your Word says You will never leave us nor forsake us, let us hold fast to those words and secure them in our hearts. In Jesus name. Amen!

Al S.