Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Give Thanks
Toby Mathew
Long Island MTC, NY
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast
love endures forever!
As Thanksgiving is approaching I think it’s a great time for us to sit back and think about some things we are grateful for. Giving thanks is something that should occur every day of the year, not just on the official holiday. Throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded to give thanks to the Lord: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1 NIV) God is so good, and His people truly should have an appreciative heart, praising Him for who He is and what He has done. Unfortunately, His people haven’t always had that thankful heart.
In the book of Numbers, we read about the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness. The people were constantly grumbling against God instead of trusting Him. They had seen His awesome wonders and grace. He sent manna from heaven and provided water from a rock. God had miraculously delivered them from slavery in Egypt, but their hearts were turning back. Here they were experiencing God’s miraculous provision, but they seem to have taken it for granted. As soon as God had done one thing for them, they were wanting something else and finding another reason to grumble. Their faith and focus were not where they should have been.
It’s easy to judge the Israelites as unthankful complainers, but I realize that I probably am not much different. How many times do I experience God’s great blessings in my life, but then look at another situation and start complaining about that instead of praising and thanking God for His goodness? How many times do I focus my attention on my problems and needs instead of on Jesus and His love?
We set aside one day each year in November as a day to give thanks. We often gather with loved ones and enjoy a large feast. We list all our blessings for which we are thankful. But for too many of us, it ends there. We get up from that table and go back to our normal routine, instead of remaining in that attitude of thankfulness. God is good every day, not just on the fourth Thursday in November. Let’s thank Him each day.
As Thanksgiving is approaching I think it’s a great time for us to sit back and think about some things we are grateful for. Giving thanks is something that should occur every day of the year, not just on the official holiday. Throughout the Scriptures, we are reminded to give thanks to the Lord: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1 NIV) God is so good, and His people truly should have an appreciative heart, praising Him for who He is and what He has done. Unfortunately, His people haven’t always had that thankful heart.
In the book of Numbers, we read about the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness. The people were constantly grumbling against God instead of trusting Him. They had seen His awesome wonders and grace. He sent manna from heaven and provided water from a rock. God had miraculously delivered them from slavery in Egypt, but their hearts were turning back. Here they were experiencing God’s miraculous provision, but they seem to have taken it for granted. As soon as God had done one thing for them, they were wanting something else and finding another reason to grumble. Their faith and focus were not where they should have been.
It’s easy to judge the Israelites as unthankful complainers, but I realize that I probably am not much different. How many times do I experience God’s great blessings in my life, but then look at another situation and start complaining about that instead of praising and thanking God for His goodness? How many times do I focus my attention on my problems and needs instead of on Jesus and His love?
We set aside one day each year in November as a day to give thanks. We often gather with loved ones and enjoy a large feast. We list all our blessings for which we are thankful. But for too many of us, it ends there. We get up from that table and go back to our normal routine, instead of remaining in that attitude of thankfulness. God is good every day, not just on the fourth Thursday in November. Let’s thank Him each day.
PRAYER
Father, please always
remind us of what we truly should be thankful for and stop us from being
complainers. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!
God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!