Our Obligation to Give Thanks

"...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.