Thanksgiving, Now and Forever

 

    "I will give thanks unto Thee forever" (Psalm 30:12)

 

    Our life of thanksgiving begins in time.  It will go with us into eternity where the attitude and practice will be infinitely enhanced in the direct presence of the One to whom we express our gratitude. 

 

    In our present lives, "we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  Thus, we give thanks without having physically seen the Hand that provides, protects, and gives to us "life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25).  This is a blessed thing, both to God and to ourselves.  Surely we touch our Father's heart when we choose to see that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," especially when appearance may indicate that human hands are the source of supply.  Our own hearts are also blessed as gratitude felt and expressed illuminates to us the great truth that God is God and we are not.

 

     In eternity, we will walk by sight.  "Then shall I know, even as also I am known" (I Corinthians 13:12).  Our Heavenly Father's perpetual generosity will be obvious as "in the ages to come He shows the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7).  Every eternal moment will be graced by Divine giving and human awareness of Divine giving.  No temptation to neglect, ignore, or question God's provision will cloud our vision for even the briefest interruption of amazed reception of "the exceeding riches of His grace."  Our Father's supply of the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of every need will illuminate all, and we will furthermore be equipped to respond in perfect appreciation and gratitude.

 

     Little wonder that David declared, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23:6).  God's provision pursuing us in this life, as it were, and then eternity directly with Him.  There is much for which to give thanks both now and forever, and this moment offers opportunity to join the Psalmist in doing so...

 

"So we Thy people and sheep of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever: we will show forth Thy praise to all generations."

(Psalm 79:13)