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Written by Jeff Trahan
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Sunday, 05 June 2011 |
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As I look around at the world in which we live, it seems to me that there are a number of causes for concern, not the least of which is the apparent lack of thankfulness on the part of many people. Although we enjoy blessings from God that many people in times past could not have even imagined, it is not uncommon for people today to be discontent and also unthankful. There is always the expectation of more.
Not only have we been blessed materially, but God has also “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). In return, do we truly honor God and give thanks to him as we should? It’s important that we do.
Have you ever noticed how the Scriptures treat thankfulness or a lack thereof? For example, when the apostle Paul wrote about some of the problems that characterized the Gentiles as they fell into darkness, this is one of the first things he said: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).
When I look at the world today, I’m reminded of the encounter Jesus had with the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-18). All ten were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. Jesus responded by saying, “Where are the nine?” (Luke 17:18). We might say, “Where are the millions?” The number of people who truly give thanks to God is small compared to the number who have been blessed by him.
Even God’s people need to be reminded from time to time that he is worthy of our thanks. Otherwise, we would not read about such things in the Scriptures as often as we do. The New Testament everywhere emphasizes the need for Christians to be thankful. The apostle Paul said, “15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful…17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:15, 17). When he wrote to the church in Philippi, he said, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). He pointed out the need to “give thanks in everything,” and then said that “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Are we doing the will of God? In order to help us with that, let me make a practical suggestion. Try to pick out a few things each day that you have to be thankful for. “Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.” If we will do that, I think it will do two things for us. First of all, it will help us to be content with what we have. But it will also help us to remember to give thanks to him who has blessed us and given us everything we have to enjoy. He is worthy!
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