"Thanksliving" Part 11 Grace In Gratitude

(Friends: during the next few weeks, as we approach the observance of thanksgiving in the United States, many (perhaps all) of the messages will address the theme of thanksgiving and gratitude.  Thanks, Glen)

"Thanksliving"

Part 11 - "Grace In Gratitude"

      

    

     

    God will do just fine without our gratitude, thank you.  He doesn't need us to thank Him for anything.  His perfect fulfillment lies in His triune Personhood of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Of course, we greatly please Him when we consciously and volitionally appreciate His doings for us.  "The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8). Moreover, we glorify Him and influence others by living with a grateful attitude expressed thanksgiving.  But we meet no spiritual and emotional need in our Lord by saying "Thank You."  He is eternally all sufficient in Himself.

   "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof" (Psalm 50:12).

    On the other hand, gratitude of heart and thanksgiving offered to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ fills oceans of need in us.  "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD… For Thou, LORD, hast made me glad through Thy work" (Psalm 92:1; 4).  When God works (which is always, whether we perceive His doings or not), realizing and affirming His lovingkindness fills our spirits with a deep inner gladness beyond thought and emotion.  Even in times of sorrow and tears, giving thanks to the Lord for His "very present help in trouble" does something within us that strengthens us for our journey through a fallen world.  The Apostle Paul testified of being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (Psalm 46:1; II Corinthians 6:10).  Thanksgiving as either a happy overflow in pleasant times, or a holy overcoming in times of pain, reveals the presence of the Lord Jesus in us as the Life of our lives, and our strength along every path.

    We are needy creatures united to a needless Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Our Lord clearly loves His role of being our provision, strength, protection, and the fulfilling Presence that occupies our innermost being.  We must love our role of dependence and believe that no matter what, God is present and active on our behalf.  Thanksgiving will ensue upon such remembrance, a Light will shine within our depths, and our Father will administer His grace not only in His provision, but even in the gratitude we express for it.  This leads to even more thankfulness as we realize the blessing us in His gifts - and in our giving thanks for them.

I will be all that you need,

with joy as your provision.

You will trust and look to Me

with faith and holy vision.

For in My gifts and in your thanks,

grace fills you with My peace

as I give and give and give again,

and as the Truth you see…

That I will be all that you need,

 you will trust and look to Me.

"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name: the upright shall dwell in Thy presence."

(Psalm 140:13)

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."

(Psalm 41:10)

Weekly Memory Verse

   I will remember the works of the Lord.  Surely I will remember Thy wonders of old."

(Psalm 77:11)