Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, ” Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “

Background

I hope you’re a thankful person. And I say that, not because being thankful makes you happier or more friendly or makes your day to go better. Nor do I hope you are thankful because the Bible commands us to give thanks. I hope you are a thankful person because I know that you have so many things for which to be thankful. Even through this forum of sending out an e-mail to a large group of people, I can say without hesitation that each of you have been and are even now being showered with God’s blessings. And even as I say this, I am amazed at the number of people that I encounter who are not thankful people. And I’m not just talking about the ones who walk through a door that you are holding open and neglect to say anything. That individual could have a million other things on his mind and be completely oblivious in the moment. I’m talking more about the ones who might say thank you, but their spirit and their personality don’t exude what their words are expressing.

Application

It’s like the difference between someone who is athletic, and an athlete. I have known people who are naturally very athletic. Their hand-eye coordination is excellent, and they are quick and can run and jump well. But they didn’t play sports. They didn’t care about trying to use their abilities in athletics, and they simply had no interest in them. Now, if they ever had, I would have expected them to develop quickly and become quite skilled at whatever they pursued. But that desire wasn’t in them. The person who isn’t thankful can give thanks. They know when someone does them a favor. But their spirit doesn’t pursue thanksgiving. Nothing could be more foreign to them than to give thanks in all circumstances. And that is why I hope you are a thankful person. A thankful person sees the circumstances as a means, not an end. He knows a big God and trusts in His timing and plans. A thankful person desires the will of God more than the want of man. I hope that is you. I thank God that it can be you.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to make you thankful where you have not been so. Strive to begin and end the day with thanksgiving, while filling up the day in just the same way.