We are a blessed people living in a blessed Country. So often though I fear we fall into the trap of being complacent. We tend to become discontent with what God has blessed us with, and end up wanting more of what we would eventually just complain about anyway! Most of us don't know what its like to go hungry or cold. We have a lot of things that never even get used, just take up room in a closet. Why is it that we always want more of what we don't need in the first place?
When the peace of God is ruling in our hearts then we will have a thankful spirit for what He has abundantly blessed us with. We also have many spiritual blessings from our Heavenly Father. Just to be able to call Him our Father is a tremendous blessing! We have the free gift of salvation because of His love for us! We have access to the Throne of Grace, His promised presence forever, His help and protection against the enemy; He has promised His strength in difficulties and wisdom for problems. He has promised His grace and mercy in trials, and His guidance through life. His comfort in sorrow is ours, and there are heavenly rewards for the faithful. How much we, as children of God, have to be thankful for.
For all that He in His great love has given to us, do we remember to thank Him? I find it horribly rude to see people receive things and never thank the giver. Now, grant it, we are not suppose to give with the expectation of being thanked, but come on now...its just good manners! One of the first things you should teach your children is to thank someone when they give them something. How rude it is not to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His gifts to us!
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We are to be a thankful people. Here again, this will set us apart from the world of unthankful people that we live amongst; it is Christ-like to be thankful.
Psalms 95:1 & 2 "O come let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms."
In Luke chapter 17 we read the story of the 10 lepers that Jesus found in one of His travels through Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 17:12 - 16 "And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed." And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice, glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."
Here in this passage we find 10 men who were lepers, a horrible, disfiguring disease, that meant banishment from their families and communities, and eventually death. The astonishing thing about this story is that of the 10 that the Lord healed, only 1 came back to thank Him! Jesus also noted that only 1 had thanked Him.
Luke 17: 17 - 19 "And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that return to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."
One lone stranger returned to thank the Lord for saving his life. What a pitiful picture of the unthankful mindset of the common man.
But...how often are we like the 9 lepers that so thoughtlessly went on their merry way with not one word of thanks for the miracle that had befallen them? We grumble about having to get up each morning; eat on the run; complain about the weather, traffic, co-workers, spouses, children...or 101 others things. Instead we should thank God for the nights rest, our food. Be thankful that we have a job, that the weather and traffic isn't worse! We should be thankful for those we work with and for; and for our families. Grumbling and complaining become bad habits. We need to consciously determine each day not to complain, but to nurture a thankful spirit that will be Christ honoring.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
We should have a thankful spirit not just every October on Thanksgiving Day, but 365 days of the year. God does not just bless us once a year! Be a thankful person, teach your children to be thankful. An attitude of thanksgiving will rub off on others. Also, being around someone who has a thankful spirit is much nicer then being with a grumbler and complainer. Learn to count your blessings, it will surprise you what the Lord has done for you.
Psalms 92:1 & 2 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night."
Thank You, Jesus for all You've done,
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You, Jesus, for victories won,
O thank You, Lord;
For Thy love and tender care,
For Thy Word and answered prayer,
Thank You, Jesus, for all You've done,
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You, Jesus, for love like Thine,
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You, Jesus, for grace divine,
O thank You, Lord;
For the cross of Calvary,
For Thy blood that cleanseth me,
Thank You, Jesus, that You are mine,
Thank You, Lord.
John C. Hallett.
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