“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
November 22, 2023
An unthankful Christian is a contradiction. We need to examine ourselves as we look in the mirror of the eternal Word of Truth. Am I thankful as I communicate with others? Paul did not hesitate to thank others for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives (1 Cor. 1:4; Philemon 1:4). Am I thankful upon hearing good news (2 Cor. 9:12, overflowing thanks for the generosity of fellow believers)? Do I know how to be thankful when I receive bad news? Job is an example (Job 1:21), as well as are Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25). There is no greater example of thankfulness than the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave thanks when He fed people (Jn. 6:11, 23), when He talked with the Father (Jn. 11:41), and when He anticipated His death (Matt. 26:27; Lk. 22:17, 19). In the presence of rebellion and hard hearts, Jesus knew how to express thanks (Matt. 11:20-24). The loving sovereign rule of God over all things should bubble up in the darkest of times. We are on the right path as we make thanksgiving a part of our prayer life. Do I go public with my thanksgiving, when I sing songs of praise? Remaining grim and voiceless during songs of praise is not a pretty picture.
H
“Gratitude for God’s forgiveness is empty save as accompanied by sympathy, understanding, and patience in all one’s dealings with others.”