Give Him Thanks!
"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love
endures forever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)
I have a lot to be thankful for, especially the last few weeks. As difficult
as this may be to believe, every day I have apparently been winning several
lotteries I never entered and suddenly hundreds of people I've never met
have left me millions in inheritance, grants, and extravagant contributions.
I've even heard from many who are themselves millionaires and simply need my
assistance to help get their money out of their countries. Even as I write
this, I have been blessed twelve more times.
Of course, I'm kidding about all of that. I do receive such emails of
offers, prizes, etc., countless numbers it seems, but they are all false.
And I hope you've never fallen victim to these liars. Still, it has been
interesting. In this season, there are some good lessons here about what
we're to be truly thankful for.
I've been studying a lot about "Thanks" lately and I've noticed a few
things. In the Old Testament, the direction of 1 Chronicles, or one very
similar, is repeated often. The words are spoken by all kinds of people at
all stations of life and in all kinds of circumstances. Many had just
experienced a wonderful blessing while others were in the middle of
difficult times. And there were also those who spoke in anticipation of what
they believed would one day come.
These words are more than simple instructions or the expression of hope.
They are a prayer in and of themselves, an expression of humility intended
by those who understand that without God...they have nothing...they deserve
nothing...they can expect nothing...and they will receive nothing. When you
begin your talk with the Creator of the Universe in this way, thanksgiving
freely flows from the heart.
Ah, but that's not enough for most of us, is it? Whether spiritual or
physical, we don't want to begin kneeling from our own unworthiness, but
standing in the midst of our treasures. Life, our relationship with Christ,
and our ability to love and encourage others are not enough to be thankful
for. Instead we look to our possessions, our bank accounts, and the
attention others give us. The focus is on the things we have received. And
yet, God's Word says to give thanks simply because He is good.
But there's something else about these words we need to remember, and not
just during this season. Look at how the goodness of God is known. His love
endures forever. The goodness of God, the reason for why we are to give Him
thanks, is rooted in the fact that His love is consistent, it is constant,
and it lasts. Regardless of what may be occurring in the world, or in your
life, God's love endures forever. We can count on that. And yet, there's
even more to these words.
His love for you endures forever! Yes, God loves the world, but His love is
also very specific. You! It's you that He loves and His love is an
everlasting love. Even when you were controlled by sin, He still loved you.
Even before you were born, He still loved you. And because of that love, He
came, He died, He rose again, He lives, and He reigns!
Jesus did not come to give us the things of this world so that we might be
thankful in them. He came...to give us eternal life and a home in the world
beyond this one. He came...so that through His love for us, we might know
and love Him, too. He came...to be with us forever, not to take away the
harshness of this world but to help us through it. And because of these --
even if we have no spouse or children, no family or friends, no home or job
-- we can give thanks to God, because...He came!
Though I could win all the lotteries in the world, live in mansions, drive
Bentley and Mercedes cars, and have enough money to buy anything my heart
desired...it would mean nothing compared to being loved by God. Such things
do not make me who I am or give power to my voice. And given the choice, I
would gladly give them up just to follow Him.
Give thanks to God, for He is good; His love for us endures... forever!
Take care and be God's,
Chuck Graham
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