We all know that sometimes it isn’t easy to be thankful, but thankfulness shouldn’t depend upon our feelings about what’s happening at the moment. A child might live in a very loving family, but does that child truly feel thankful for a warm bed at night, or parents that set boundaries? That child is very much like each one of us. We tend to take our blessings for granted.
God has given us everything, including forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, but are we thankful? There’s always something to grumble about. The Jones family has a bigger house. The Smith family regularly take exotic vacations. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson both have high-paying jobs. There’s always someone who will seem to be more blessed and happier, but you never know how high the mortgage is, or what other troubles other people face. Are they thankful, or, like you, do they want more?
The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time facing tough situations, such as shipwrecks, beatings, snakebites, and jail in dungeons. That isn’t exactly a life that sounds like he had much to be thankful for, but he was very thankful. After all, Paul had been full of unrepentant sin, but when he met Jesus, he knew he was forgiven and was a changed man. His anger and hatred melted away.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“In” everything give thanks. He didn’t say “for.” God deserves our thanks always. Even if we can’t see His reasons at the moment, He loves us and can be trusted to provide the best for us.
Let’s look at Daniel who lived long before Christ was born, but his faith and love for God is legendary. From a very young age, he loved God and didn’t let anybody or any circumstance diminish his faith. He could have been very bitter towards God, but instead, his faith was a beacon to the pagans around him. Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon and besieged Jerusalem. When Jerusalem eventually fell, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his eunuchs to take some children hostage.
“Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4).
The idea was to brainwash these children to accept the pagan culture. Daniel was one of these “children.” When they arrived in the palace, the king ordered that these youngsters would be given the best food and wine, but Daniel saw this as something that was against his faith in God, and would only eat vegetables and drink water.
Daniel continued to honor God for many years, not only in his diet, but also in prayer and thanksgiving. He never bowed before the pagan idols found in Babylon. Daniel loved God and would do nothing that would dishonor Him. Daniel showed his faith and gratitude daily. When his faith was tested, Daniel chose to honor God instead of following pagan mandates. This habit made the local magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers very angry, and they wanted to kill Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
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www.raptureready.com
God has given us everything, including forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, but are we thankful? There’s always something to grumble about. The Jones family has a bigger house. The Smith family regularly take exotic vacations. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson both have high-paying jobs. There’s always someone who will seem to be more blessed and happier, but you never know how high the mortgage is, or what other troubles other people face. Are they thankful, or, like you, do they want more?
The Apostle Paul spent a lot of time facing tough situations, such as shipwrecks, beatings, snakebites, and jail in dungeons. That isn’t exactly a life that sounds like he had much to be thankful for, but he was very thankful. After all, Paul had been full of unrepentant sin, but when he met Jesus, he knew he was forgiven and was a changed man. His anger and hatred melted away.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“In” everything give thanks. He didn’t say “for.” God deserves our thanks always. Even if we can’t see His reasons at the moment, He loves us and can be trusted to provide the best for us.
Let’s look at Daniel who lived long before Christ was born, but his faith and love for God is legendary. From a very young age, he loved God and didn’t let anybody or any circumstance diminish his faith. He could have been very bitter towards God, but instead, his faith was a beacon to the pagans around him. Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon and besieged Jerusalem. When Jerusalem eventually fell, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his eunuchs to take some children hostage.
“Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4).
The idea was to brainwash these children to accept the pagan culture. Daniel was one of these “children.” When they arrived in the palace, the king ordered that these youngsters would be given the best food and wine, but Daniel saw this as something that was against his faith in God, and would only eat vegetables and drink water.
Daniel continued to honor God for many years, not only in his diet, but also in prayer and thanksgiving. He never bowed before the pagan idols found in Babylon. Daniel loved God and would do nothing that would dishonor Him. Daniel showed his faith and gratitude daily. When his faith was tested, Daniel chose to honor God instead of following pagan mandates. This habit made the local magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers very angry, and they wanted to kill Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).
Read the rest of this excellent article at:
Faith and Thankfulness :: By Nathele Graham
We all know that sometimes it isn’t easy to be thankful, but thankfulness shouldn’t depend upon our feelings about what’s happening at the moment. A child
www.raptureready.com
