“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father.”
Ephesians 5:20 NKJV.
Giving thanks is a mark of character and good manners.
My thoughts and comments today are about “giving thanks.”
Feeling thankful is merely an emotion, coming and going at your whim; in distinction, giving thanks is a deliberate choice and specific action. Giving thanks is not always easy, but it is always possible. Thanksgiving is the lifestyle of the person who recognizes and honors God as their Source.
The Psalmist wrote, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 NIV. Never mistake that as optional; it is recognition due the Author of all that is good. It is true that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above . . from the Father.” James 1:17 NIV. Every good thing that you receive finds its source in God.
As a boy, I remember my Dad telling a story about a Godly widow who had little but took seriously Jesus’ instruction to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Each morning she would pray for God to provide for her and every evening she thanked God for His faithfulness. Her ungodly neighbor, who had neither regard for God nor her prayers, decided to dissuade her of her foolish faith. He placed a box of groceries outside her door, watching and waiting for her to discover them. As she was exuberantly thanking God for His provision, her neighbor could not resist interrupting, “God didn’t bring you those groceries; I did.” With a patient smile, she replied, “The devil may have brought them, but God is the One who sent them.”
Giving thanks is a mark of character and good manners. As Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV. Self-sufficiency is a myth. This is the plain and simple fact, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19-20 NKJV. Should you and I not rejoice and give thanks for such a promise? “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 NKJV. From this verse, I see several practical truths regarding the matter we are considering today. Give thanks to God. Give thanks always, without exception. Give thanks for all things, without exclusion.
There is something I have observed. Facts do not follow feelings; feeling follow facts. The fact is: God has been gracious and generous always, in all ways, and to all people. “Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15-16 NKJV. Note the order. “The sacrifice of praise,” precedes then results in, “giving thanks to His name.” God would not leave such an elemental truth at the mercy of emotions. People wrongly assume that a person should not give thanks without feeling thankful. Knowing the releasing power of thankfulness and gratitude, the enemy of your soul will use such inaccurate reasoning to discourage then excuse you from being thankful. Many times, you may only feel thankful after you are obedient to be thankful. Feeling thankful is elusive; being thankful is obedience.
Today, I pray for you to be faithful in thankfulness to God and others for grace.
Christian Communications 2016
facebook.com/everydaylife.allenrandolph