CAN YOU COUNT THE WAYS TO THANK GOD?

They’re endless. Good food, jobs, clothing, warm homes, family and friends …. To say nothing of God’s eternal blessings. His peace and joy, freedom from sin and fear and eternal death, and His everlasting love for us trump every other thing, don’t they? We cannot possibly count the ways to give Him thanks.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Let us give thanks

As citizens of this nation, we have countless reasons to give thanks. We have the freedom to live where we want, work where we want, and befriend whom we want. We’re allowed to have as many children as we want. We have the freedom to express our opinions verbally and in writing. We may worship where we want. All these freedoms, and more, are ours as long as we stay within the limits of the law and respect others’ rights.

Our laws are not perfect. But they’re far better than those of countries that inflict harsh punishment to the guilty and innocent alike.

We can thank God for all our freedoms, whether they relate to our physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. God is, after all, the giver of everything we have. And His attributes are endless. He loves us like no other and is faithful in carrying out His many promises, as expressed in His Word.

The Psalms have much to say about being thankful. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord … to declare (His) lovingkindness in the morning, and (His) faithfulness every night.” (Psalm 92:1-2) “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy …” (Psalm 107:1-2) “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4)

Paul’s New Testament letters also express the value of thanking God for everything we have. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18) “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Lord, we thank You for this year’s special day of Thanksgiving. As we celebrate it, help us remember to give You thanks every day. You show us Your great love even when we don’t deserve it. Thank You for your great grace and mercy, in Jesus’ name, amen.