“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:23)
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5)
As I am writing this article, snow has fallen and has now changed into rain. Tonight, if it gets cold enough, it will freeze. Not my favorite weather – – not at all, and it’s taking me a while to learn to be thankful! (As a side-note, I’ve already had several accidents in this kind of weather)!
When one thinks of the condition of the world and our nation, when one thinks of people getting away with “it,” when one thinks of many hardships in/of the past, when one thinks of so-called “friends” who acted the opposite, when one thinks of others who have succeeded but you haven’t, when one thinks of what the future might hold, when one thinks of the prospects of dying, – – it’s very easy to doubt, be cynical or blame God our Creator, rather than giving Him the thanks He rightly deserves. And, of course, our retort goes something like this, “But God could have prevented ‘it.’”
Let me do a little biblical review with you:
- God is always good – – that’s His nature that cannot change. The blame is never to be charged to Him but to our sinful natures or to the devil himself.
- God always knows what He is doing – – He knows every detail of this universe including every thought everyone has ever had or will have!
- God is always in charge of this universe, not humanoids or evil beings! – – although it may not seem that way to us!
- Why would this God bless us if we are unwilling to thank Him for all He has done for and given to us (our breath, our Bibles, and many other benefits)!
Teacher - Feature 