March 25, 2026 -- I Thessalonians 5:18 -- Getting filled with thankfulness

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...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
 
A friend recommended I read the book “God is God and I’m Not” (by Timothy Witmer). I was so inspired by these words, and challenged, I had to share.
One of the reasons we fail to remember God’s goodness is that
 the goodness of God can become “normal.” Arthur Pink writes:
Gratitude is the return justly required from the object of His
beneficence; yet it is often withheld from our great Benefactor
simply because His goodness is so constant and abundant. It is
lightly esteemed because it is exercised toward us in the common
course of events. It is not felt because we daily experience it.
Witmer, page 47
 
We are so used to getting blessings from God, that we take them for granted. We might regularly pray ‘give us this day our daily bread’ but neglect to thank God for the fact we have food, clothes, shelter. This is the great sin of thanklessness. Spending a few minutes recalling what we have received from God should lead to amazement, thankfulness, and wonder; all of these lead us to worship God, the Source of every good gift we have. The greatest divine act that should drive us to constant thankfulness is the fact our Father in heaven has rescued us from His just wrath, saved us from hell, and given us new life in Christ. I am guessing many of us do not spend much time contemplating the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His great mercy toward us, if we did, we’d be people who constantly offer thanks to God!
 
Paul, writing the Corinthians, challenged them with these words (which cut away all self-satisfaction), “What do you have that you did not receive” (I Corinthians 4:7). Let’s face it, anything we have in this life is a gracious gift from the Fatherly hand of God. Even the hardships of our life are from Him, to wean us from sin and suited to shape us in holiness. I challenge you today, give thanks to God. Through-out the day, think of as many specific reasons as you can, and as you think of them, offer a prayer of thanks.
 
Father in heaven, by the influence of Your Spirit move me to offer words of thanks and praise to You, for all I have received through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, my Savior. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/D_35IPrjzq8?si=IdcOhjJ8VdGWWxRd Jesus, Thank You

 

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