We have so much to be thankful for. The calling our Father has given us by His personal invitation should be very high on the list. We can also be thankful to Him for leading and guiding us to godly sorrow so that we could begin to see ourselves as we really were and then come to repentance. What a huge relief it is to be free of our past sins! Then comes the priceless power of God (the Holy Spirit) given to us at baptism. All this comes with our Father’s and Christ’s direct involvement from before the world was.
With the gift of the Holy Spirit came the gift of faith – the very faith of Christ. Also, we have been given grace so that we may grow and overcome throughout our lifetime. The Holy Spirit even makes intercession for us when we don’t know how or perhaps what to pray for as we ought. All these many priceless blessings were and are done for us before we even knew God or appreciated Him. He gave us His law to guide our lives and to develop our minds and character. Truly, as the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13)
Our Father has provided for every eventuality in our developmental lives spiritually. He has left nothing unchecked or unturned in terms of our progress. Now, also He knew there would be dangers for His people in any age because the adversary — Satan — lives on. That is especially true today. Our lives are in God’s hands whether to life or to death — history has taught us that.
One final and related thing we are profoundly thankful for is the angelic protection that our Father affords us in His love. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14) God’s holy angels are not to be worshipped and do not desire to be. Their desire is to do our Father’s will. He sends them to watch over and serve us as, in His wisdom, it pleases Him. King David wrote this concerning the time he feigned madness before Abimelech as he was fleeing from Saul, “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:6-7). Angelic protection doesn’t mean that we will not experience dangerous situations – even situations that we sometimes get ourselves into. But we do know that God’s angels encamp around those who fear Him and will deliver upon His command.
In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ clearly shows us how precious each one of us is in God’s eyes. Our Father is always ready to leave the ninety and nine in a safe place and go back after that one that has wandered into danger. Christ said, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). A “little one” is simply one of God’s precious converts who has responded to His call and perfect care. Each sheep, in whatever circumstance, is watched over by God through His angels for that little one’s benefit. We may not often think of this aspect of our Father’s care – but we should take great solace in it in this present age.
Marshall Stiver
