"...speaking
to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all
things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:19, 20, NKJV)
As we come to yet another Thanksgiving holiday in the US, one cannot help but wonder whether we fully understand
the importance of being thankful. Take a look around and ponder over
the question - What did you bring with you to earth and what will you
take away when your time runs out? In many ways, this question puts
things in perspective. If we came to the world with nothing and will
eventually leave with nothing, what should be our main preoccupation in
life? The Bible states emphatically in Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Fear God
and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.."
The
passage above quoted from the book of Ephesians clearly shows that we
have an obligation to be thankful and for a lot of good reasons - life,
shelter, food, family, health, country, etc and the list goes on. Sure
enough, many are facing challenges at the moment but there is still
something to be thankful for. Another fact to ponder on is this - God
will not command His people to do something if it is not good for them.
No matter where you have reached in life or what you have achieved or
attained, you could not have done it alone. So, be thankful. Many
people passed away last night in their prime but you are still alive
with a chance to do better or put right some wrongs. So, be thankful.
You are unique with talents, abilities and gifts that cannot be
duplicated. So, be thankful. Maybe as you examine yourself, you are
disappointed that you have allowed yourself to become overweight or
underweight. God has kept you alive so that you can do something about
it. So, be thankful. Maybe you are underemployed and you are wondering
when things would improve. You have a job and millions do not. Would you
rather be jobless? So, be thankful. It does not take a rocket scientist
to figure out that we have a lot to be thankful for, hence the command
to give thanks. It makes perfect sense to be grateful for what God has
blessed us with, no matter how small it might seem.
It is with
this in mind that I implore us to give thanks to God today for all He
has done. Most of all, let us give thanks for Jesus Christ who shed His
blood and died so that you and I can be reconciled to God. Jesus paid
the price for our freedom, dying a death that was simply horrifying so
that we can become sons and daughters of God. We have every reason to be
thankful today and in the days ahead. If you have not yet accepted
Jesus as your Savior, today is the day.
Today is a day to
express our gratitude to the Almighty God. Let us be thankful to God for
His mercies, His love, His protection, His grace and favor.
God bless you.
