The Importance of Being Thankful

1 Chronicles 29:12-13 “Wealth and honor come from you. You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power. You can give honor and strength to everyone. Our God, we give you thanks. We praise your glorious name.” ~NIRV

There are a couple of ways we give thanks. There are times we know a ‘thank you’ is required and we just say it ‘to say it’. In fact, we forget about it as soon as it is given. “Hey, that's a nice jacket!” (Thank you). “Hey, you did a great job!” (Thank you). There is nothing genuine about it. 

But then things happen in our lives that make us speak a bold ‘Thank You’! For example: you are walking down the street by yourself and a shadowy figure is walking behind you. It’s dark and you do not know the intentions of your stalker. At the height of your fear, out of nowhere a police officer’s patrol car comes from around the corner. You wave him down and he pulls over. His presence is enough to cause the shadowy figure behind you to flee. Because you are now safe, the ‘thank you’ the officer receives from you is genuine, sincere and from the heart. This is a 'thank you' you are grateful to give.

We should have this same genuine feeling of thanksgiving for the Lord everyday. Whether things are going great in our lives or the sad times and suffering are going on, we should be grateful to God always. The text tells us that in His hands are strength and power. Everything we need to get through our circumstances. It also tells us of His wealth that He has available for those of us who love Him and have faith in Him to care and provide for us. It also speaks of the honor He places on us to show all around that He exists in our lives. 

It is because of all these blessings; it is because of His love, His sacrifice of His One and Only Son; that we must be extremely grateful to Him. Not just today but everyday we must be genuine in our thanksgiving to the Lord as He is the Savior that is always with us. Making the dark opposition that tries to follow us in our dark times, turn and run away at the sight of God's magnificent presence. That presences in our lives that we do not deserve, but have, as a result of God’s love for us. Thank you God, for loving us first and loving us always. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

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