Always Be Thankful

In the midst of the storm, when the storm-battered vessel was plunging at its four anchors off the coast of Malta, Paul "gave thanks to God in presence of them all" (Acts 27:35). He could do that because he had faith in the word and promise God had given him.

Paul's reasons for gratitude to God cover the whole territory of human life and experience. He gives thanks for:
1) His daily bread (Acts 27:35)
2) Men who have faith in Christ (Rom. 1:8)
3) Deliverance from anxiety (II Cor. 2:14)
4) Deliverance from temptation (Rom. 7:25)
5) The memory of his friends (Phil. 1:3)
6) Kindness in the day of trouble (Acts 28:15)
7) The "unspeakable" gift (II Cor. 9:15)

The Christian should always be thankful, because if he does all in the name of Jesus, the Lord will always be with him, and work out all for good. God is continually loading us with his benefits; we deserve nothing of his kindness; therefore let’s give him thanks for his unearned bounties. That is, that we should be grateful.

This is what God is pleased to require us to perform in the name of the Lord Jesus. In the gift of that Savior he has laid the foundation for that claim, and he requires that we should not be unmindful of the obligation.

For what types of things should we be giving thanks for..? For things temporal, for our beings, and the preservation of them, and for all the mercies of life; for things spiritual, for Christ, and for all spiritual blessings in him; for electing, redeeming, sanctifying, adopting, pardoning, and justifying grace; for a suitability for heaven, and for eternal life itself; for the Gospel, promises, truths, ordinances, and ministry; and this is to be done always, at all times, in times of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, and persecution, as well as in prosperity. What is the bottom line here? Thanks should be given to God in every circumstance of life!

I think about the story of the ten lepers whom Jesus met on the way to Jerusalem. These men met him at a distance and asked for pity. Jesus asked them to go show themselves to the priests; curing them of their leprosy as they went along. Of the ten, only one cleansed leper returned to thank Jesus? Why? (Luke 17:11-19)

The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it." One said, "I was already much improved."

Similarly, a sense of our spiritual leprosy should make us very humble whenever we draw near to Christ. After all, only one of those men who were healed returned to give thanks. It becomes us, like him, to be very humble in thanksgivings, as well as in prayers. Christ noticed the one who distinguished himself in this way, he was a Samaritan. The others only got the outward cure; he alone got the spiritual blessing.

If you have learned anything from all of this, it should be to: ALWAYS be thankful for God's benefits, and ALWAYS express your thanks!

Scriptural readings: Acts 27:35; 2 Co 1:11; Acts 28:15; Eph 5:20.

Let us pray... Lord, there are marvelous things that I do not know nor can I comprehend. Lord, things that happen in my life, and things that happen in my friends lives. Lord, I desire to be thankful, to appreciate everything that comes across my path. Lord, I thank You for mercy, for the hunger for righteousness, for forgiveness, for purity, for providing for my needs. Lord, so often life hurts, I get angry -- upset, I do not understand, yet Lord You ask me to be thankful for everything, and have faith; thank you. Amen

Bless you always!

T.J.