It is totally fitting that
we should have a special day set aside to give thanks to God for all our
blessings, although we know it is important to give thanks to Him on a regular
basis. Giving of thanks is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Scriptures, and
only a small handful will be referenced in this brief article.
Every blessing we have is
from the hand of God, the all-powerful ruler of the universe. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or
shifting shadow
(James 1:17, NASB).
We
cannot take credit for God’s blessings. For who regards you as
superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7, NASB). This
Scripture always reminds me of an athlete who hits a homerun, scores a
touchdown, or makes the game-winning basket as time expires, and then beats his
own chest as if to say, “Look at me, look at me,” implying that he created the
God-given ability to perform well and receive great wealth in doing so. Such
individuals fail to give God the glory, and they ultimately bring His judgment
on themselves.
The
blessings of God extend not just to those who believe in Him and follow Him but
also to those who call themselves atheists and regularly blaspheme His name,
and everyone in between these two extremes. …He
causes His sun to rise on the
evil and the good, and sends
rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45,
NASB). God’s grace is poured out on believers and unbelievers alike. Some live
in corrupt countries where His blessings are stifled because of Socialism,
Communism, and all levels of corruption.
Giving
thanks to God is a major theme that is seen throughout Scripture. God expects
our praise and thanksgiving, and He commands us to be thankful.
Rejoice always;
pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you
in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NASB).
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
(Psalm 105:1, NASB).
(Psalm 105:1, NASB).
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalm 107:1, NASB).
When Jesus healed the ten
lepers, only one bothered to show his thanks. The others just took for granted
what He had done for them and went on their way, never making an effort to show
thankfulness.
Now one of them, when he
saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,
and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks
to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus
answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the
nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to
give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And
He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made
you well” (Luke
17:15-19, NASB).
Deep down, every individual
knows that God exists, regardless of their denials, and it is ludicrous not to give Him praise and glory for
His great blessings. He has provided us with an earth on which we live that is
perfectly suited to support life. It gives us water, food, and raw materials to
produce the things we need to live and thrive. We who live in the United States of America
It is quite sad to
see crowds of people rioting and demanding rights they already have, and even
more so to see people demanding things that are wrong in the eyes of God. No
blessings can result from this, and it is a certainty that His judgment will
ultimately fall on those who want Him out of their lives. Lack of thankfulness
is one of the great sins mentioned in Scripture. Rather than complaining and
taking His blessings for granted, such people ought to give glory to God for
all He has given them.
For even though they knew God, they did
not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their
speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they
became fools… (Romans
1:21-22).
It is imperative to mention
the greatest blessing of all. None of the physical blessings He gives means
anything when compared to the great gift of salvation He has given us through
His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has given believers that gift so that they
may serve Him and bring glory to His name.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves, it is the gift
of God; not as a result
of works, so that no one may boast. For we are
His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10,
NASB).
Let’s be thankful for His great blessings today and every day.
