Thanksgiving: It’s Good for You!
Last Sunday our Sunday School class members learned that God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3); rather, they are quite the opposite. God’s commands are good for us. God loves us and His instructions are for our good and His glory. This certainly applies to the giving of thanks. God’s Word commands us to thank Him regularly and continually.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! (Ps. 107:1)
Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Eph 5:20)
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:17)
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:17)
Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (Eph 5:20)
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:17)
In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thess. 5:17)
The Psalmist directly states the goodness of giving thanks when he writes,
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High (Ps. 92:1).
It is not burdensome to obey God’s commands to give Him thanks. It is actually good to give thanks. Giving thanks to God alerts us to the larger reality that “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17) and “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).
This larger perspective provides a good dose of humility and wonder. Can it be that Almighty God loves and provides for such a small and seemingly insignificant person like me? Oh, yes! He loves you. He loves me. He blesses and provides.
One of the great causes for Lynn and me to give thanks to God is you, the church family. We love you and thank God for you!