Thanks be to God!...November 25, 2021

by Mark Rater

Thanks Be To God! 

     It's Thanksgiving Day! A national holiday in several countries.  A day that, from it's roots, is meant to be set aside for us to give thanks for the many blessings that we've been given. As with many things, it is easy for us to forget why we are doing this...or to whom we are giving giving thanks. 

     Many people today have stopped work, turned on a parade, a football game, and the oven. In a little while, a feast, probably some family, and an evening of relaxation-all in the name of slowing down and taking some time to give thanks. In the midst of all of this, it is important for us to remember who it is that we are giving thanks to...and to remember that many in our nation will be encouraged to have a general feeling of gratitude and quite possibly, it will be directed at no one in particular. 

     As Christians, we understand (and will hopefully help others who may not understand) that God is the source of all things. He is the source of life (Genesis 1-3). He is the one who sustains our lives with the good things that we need and is near to those who call upon Him (Psalm 145). All things belong to God (Psalm 24) and every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17). 

     We spoke about it at our Harvest Party and wrote about it in our devotional after that celebration (you can read that here if you'd like), but it's worth saying again... "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:36...speaking of Jesus Christ) 

• From Him…He is the source, the creator, the originator of all things

• Through Him…He is the channel, the conduit, the wires, the road which everything comes to us through 

• To Him: He is the reason for all things, all things are to glorify Him and should inspire worship from us to Him

The New Living Translation says it this way... “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”

"Everything." That includes the greatest thing that we could ever be given. Salvation from God's just wrath against sin. Salvation in Jesus Christ. We were created to know God and live with Him (Genesis 5, 2 Corinthians 6), but sin, which every one of us is born into and guilty of, separates us from God (Isaiah 59, Romans 3:23). We earn death for our sin, but we're given eternal life in Christ Jesus when we place our faith in Him (Romans 6:23)! Jesus took the wrath of God in our place so that we could be reconciled to God and restored to right relationship with Him (1 John 4:10, 1 Peter 3:18, John 3:16-18).

What a thing to be thankful for! A God who owns everything and gives us everything we need, including eternal life with Him! What a God to be thankful to!

So...  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Ask Yourself: 

1. Who am I thankful to? 

2. What am I thankful for? 

3. What does it look like in your life to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks? 

4. What does it look like in your life to glorify God from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things? 

5. Who can you share the gospel of Jesus Christ with today or this week? 

Prayer: 

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)