FOR ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS

The time of year has come when once again Americans will gather together with family and friends and celebrate Thanksgiving Day. We certainly have many reasons to be a thankful people as we "count our blessings", but how much of the conversation around the table or elsewhere in our homes will actually take the form of praise toward the one who is the source of these blessings. Dear brethren, if we are careful we can easily fail in this regard. This is why we are admonished by David in Psalm 103:1-2 to, "bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:".

Notice that David reminds us to take account of "all his benefits". If we are honest we must admit that we seldom meditate on 'all the blessings' that have come to us from the hand of God. Were we to compromise a list of past, present, and future blessings how great a list it would be! It certainly would include all the material things we possess, but far more than such good & plenteous things are the spiritual riches which are ours in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3). Surely the greatest of our spiritual riches is what David references in verses three and four of the above mentioned Psalm, " 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;". Ponder those thoughts for just a few moments and your heart must swell up with praise and thanksgiving to God. He has forgiven all of our transgressions, he has healed a heart ravaged by sin, and made it a fit abode for His Spirit. He has redeemed our life from eternal destruction, and crowned us with His lovingkindness and tender mercies. Blessings like these are not deserved. They cannot be earned. They come to us from the gracious hand of God who alone is full of goodness. Child of God, on this Thanksgiving Day, find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Meditate on all that He has give to you, bow your knee, and render unto Him praise and thanks for having provided all that you need in this life and the life to come.

1 Cor. 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

2 Cor. 9:15

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you,

Pastor Tom