Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Phil Robertson
Because He Blesses Us
Why shouldn’t we be thankful to God? Even if we have nothing else, Christ is all we need. Trusting in Him has allowed us to be reconciled to God and be able to have an eternal relationship with Him. There is no other way this is possible except through Christ (John 6:44, Acts 4:12).
Despite Our Ingratitude
God blesses the good and the evil, even if the evil never acknowledge it. That’s because God is good and gives to us what we don’t deserve; it’s called grace. He doesn’t give us what we do deserve, namely His wrath; it’s called mercy. Why not choose an attitude of gratitude at all times, even when it’s hard.
Offering of Thanksgiving
Did you know that the only freewill offering in the Old Testament was the offering of thanksgiving, sometimes called the peace offering? I think the point is, you can’t order someone to be thankful, can you? There can’t be a law that says “you shall give thanks” because it defeats the purpose. But why shouldn’t we be pouring out our thanks to God for the many blessings He has showered upon us, in particular the free gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Even in Want
When Paul was hungry, freezing, beaten, and imprisoned, he still managed to write to the Philippians of the joy he felt. He spoke more about joy in the Book of Philippians than in any other book he wrote. And remember, he wrote it while being imprisoned and not knowing for how long he’d be there. Even in want, Jesus was all that Paul needed.
Conclusion
We can be thankful for what little we have or if we have much, but to fail to thank Him for His gift of eternal life and His infinite grace would be ingratitude to the highest degree. We should live in a state of thanks at all times, even in want or in plenty, in feeling hungry or being well fed. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
