November 2004 Devotional

Thankfulness.  It’s the heartbeat of our heartfelt appreciation to God for his myriad of gifts to us.  We have a devoted Father who delights in giving us good gifts.  His generosity is never ending, always filled with gracious love.  When we lovingly thank him for all he is and all he does for us, we reflect his heart for us – “We love because he first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)  “O give thanks to the Lord!  Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!”  (Psalm 105:1) 

Thankfulness.  It’s an attitude of gratitude that thrives even in the most difficult moments of life.  A settled peace that says, “God is good…and God is good to me.”  Some days it is very hard to praise God, but as you grow in knowledge of our Savior and his tremendous love for you, you will learn to trust his plan more and more, even when life brings disappointment and pain.  Job put it this way – “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  (Job 1:21) 

Thankfulness.  It’s a strength that comes from resisting evil and walking in obedience.  A powerful discipline borne of the stresses and challenges we individually and corporately face in this world.  First Thessalonians 5:15-17 teaches this – “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.  Always be joyful.  Keep on praying.  No matter what happens, and always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”    

Thankfulness.  It’s a sacrifice of praise we give to our faithful God.  Giving thanks is not always easy.  In fact, it requires humility (realizing that it is God who gives us all things, and not we ourselves); a willing heart and body (refusing to give in to the natural laziness that sometimes plagues us); and a happy spirit (even when we are struggling to see the end result, we choose to stir up the confident joy within us).  Psalm 107:22 says, “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”  It wouldn’t be called a “sacrifice” if it was always easy.  Take heart.   

Thankfulness.  It’s a gift to be thankful – to have reasons to thank God.  And don’t we have so many, many reasons to thank him?!  And here’s yet another reason to be thankful:  When we express gratitude and love to the Lord (as we should, as he so rightly deserves), our very act of thankfulness give us a full heart, a joyful spirit, and a deep sense of peace and satisfaction.  God gives us a spirit of thankfulness as a reward for praising Him and celebrating his goodness! 

When we live and breathe and have our being in our great and wonderful Savior, life is as it should be – not perfect, but perfectly in the will of our Heavenly Father.  “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever!”  (1 Chronicles 16:34)

May you have a rich and deeply thankful Thanksgiving! 

Love,
Lisa Kinakin