Why thank someone who gives to you? They bought you a gift or provided a service, such as a waitress at El Patio. Was it expected, or did you earn it?
Family and friends may give you presents. Do you appreciate their generosity? How do you respond to those many acts of kindness?
All people receive good gifts from God! Jesus said, “…prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew5:4445). God treats His creation the same, good or bad, and so shouldyouandI. Perhaps equally important, when was the last time you expressed gratitude toward God’s kindness? Scripture says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 107:1) When you arrive safely at work, or the store, or back home after being gone for the day, how do you express your thanks to God? He provided that safety and freedom from any mishap. Do you give Him the credit for keeping you in His care? He keeps you safe every day. How do you give thanks?
In Old Testament times, we often read the prayers in the Psalms how many people praised God for His care, such as: “They shall give thanks to the Lord for His mercy, and for His wonders to the sons of mankind!” (Psalm 107:8). Have you ever heard someone praise God for the miracle He gave to them?
Tonight, when you settle into your comfortable bed, exhausted from your full day, what’s your final thought? In the morning, after a peaceful rest, what’s your first thought? How do you thank God for giving you a safe, healthy, and refreshing night? Do you think about the unsheltered when you snuggle into your warm house on a blustery, cold night? Do you thank Him?
Every day, God gives you various good and undeserved gifts. How do you thank God for all He’s given to you? “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” ( James 1:17).
God gives to those who love Him, and to those who do not love or thank Him! Which category are you in?
A driver fell asleep coming home from work. He collided with a neighbor, head-on. They were both going 55 M.P.H. They were severely injured, but responding EMTs expected both men would die. One surgeon said, “I had the easy part; God had the hard part.” What would you say to God?