"O Give Thanks Unto The Lord"
The Psalmist declared "O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Psa. 107:1-2). John in the Revelation said: "...thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever, Amen" (Rev. 7:12)
Although the word "ingratitude" never occurs in the Bible, the sin of being ungrateful is condemned in God’s word. It is interesting to observe that Israel repeatedly rejected God in times of great prosperity never in times of poverty! Every Christian should possess a grateful heart. Paul wrote: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). As we contemplate all that our heavenly Father has done for us, we like the Hebrew writer exclaim, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Heb. 13:15).
Yes, Christians should be the most appreciative and thankful people on the earth! We have so much to be thankful for:
We should thank our heavenly Father for Christian friends! Without friends our days are dull and dreary. They truly brighten our day. The servant of old said: "A friend loveth at all times..." (Prov. 17:17). The greatest friend we have, of course, is Jesus!
We should thank our God for our families! If your family is truly united in Christ, you are indeed a blessed person. Homes that are built upon the solid word of God will endure the trials and tribulations of life. Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:22-25 are sorely needed today!
We should also thank God for the church, the beautiful bride of Christ! The Lord’s church is the most glorious institution on the earth. All of the saved are added to the church by our heavenly Father (Acts 2:47), that is when they obey the gospel (Acts 2:37-38).
Yes, there is so much to be thankful for, especially for God sending Jesus to die for our sins (Jno. 3:16)! Observe that Christ is "...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). Not all who simply say Lord, Lord, will be saved, but only those who do His will. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). The "will" of God is for all to believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Jno. 8:24), repent of their sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ to be the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10), and to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). It is also the will of God for His children to live faithful lives (1 Cor. 15:58).
Indeed let us be a thankful people: "Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 7:12)!
--Ivie Powell