Thanks be to God

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! [And] thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2Corinthians 9:15, 1Corinthians 15:57

Thanksgiving probably is more thought of as Turkey Day...food and football. That's what Glenn Beck proclaimed. When he asked what most people think it is, that was my immediate response, probably even out loud!

He took the word thanksgiving and broke it down into thanks and giving. Is that what we do? give thanks? And what are we thankful for and to whom do we owe these thanks?

I'm going to suggest you think about that for a few minutes.

Okay...we should be thankful for every day we have as long as we have it. That's a good place to start. How about being thankful for family and friends...even those who give us grief? Our health, even if we aren't the perfect picture of youth and vitality. We're still useful in some ways! Our homes, jobs, freedom, church, pets... Let's be particularly thankful for what freedoms we have while we can...

But there's one more "thing" to be thankful for. The most important thing. A God who brought everything we have into being. How often do we thank Him? Isn't that who the Pilgrims thanked when they settled here? How often do we thank Him for His Son Jesus for whom we owe the greatest thanks for the gift of salvation, that indescribable gift? A gift that keeps on giving, even after death. How often do we think that our families would not exist without His hand in the process? It is by His hand children are born. It is by His hand our food is available. And by His hand we are blessed.

There will be many this year who might not be able to rejoice as much because times are tougher for them. Will we reach out our hands a help in even the smallest of ways to help? If the days ahead grow slimmer for all of us, will we have the strength and perseverance to continue to thank God? We could start now...

I have a friend who thanks God every day for the little she has. She's content, as we all should be, with the basics and not much more. She knows who to thank and I believe because of being as content as she is, God continues to show His grace and provision upon her.

As Israel wandered with no food in the desert, God supplied them each day. They may have, unfortunately, been bored with what they got each day but they never went hungry or thirsty. I believe they thanked mostly when things were going well and, unfortunately, they quickly forgot. And then there's the loaves and the fishes story. When it was absolutely necessary, the bread and fish miraculously never ran out and fed thousands with some left over. Who's to say that doesn't happen today for those who trust the Lord? What is the saying: The Lord works in mysterious ways. That's not quite biblical but Psalm 77 says, You are the GOD who does wonders....and Your footsteps [were] not known. Whose to say?

We have it good in this country. We are envied. Well, maybe not as much today as a year ago. I would hate to see this country which for so many years worked hard to keep freedom and prosperity alive, fizzle. Let's be thankful right now. Let's keep in mind that even if things become bleak we need to thank God for supplying our needs. We are called to be thankful at all times. 1Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If we ask he is gracious to give to those in relationship with Him.

I am thankful first for my God, then for the salvation I have in Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for what He has allowed me to have in my life, both good and bad, because everything has shaped me. He has shown me the direction I am headed and I'm thankful for the discernment and wisdom of this powerful and awesome God. I'm thankful for family and friends. I'm thankful for the roof over my head and even creature comforts. I know what it was like to have little and somehow I managed to get through. 

Our thankfulness at any time is a benefit. If we choose not to give thanks we are heaping bitterness, unhappiness, unforgiveness upon ourselves. A friend of a long time ago used to quote the second part of this scripture but seemed to overlook the first part: A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22. 

As this Thanksgiving week approaches, let's be thankful for all the nuisances and interruptions in our lives. Let's hold our tongues to the words of those less thankful and say something from a merry heart instead.

No matter where we are in life's circumstances, we can find something to be thankful for. It's my reminder that looking only at what we see in front of us or coming down the road, especially if it doesn't look good, can bring us down. Look up instead. Look to God. Look to Jesus for your help. Thank Him even now for the things He can provide in the future.

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. [I will] seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added...Psalm 123:1, Matthew 6:33