Thankfulness
“It isn’t what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” -Anonymous
This statement alludes to thankfulness having a deeply internal aspect, one based in a steadfast trust in God. Without it, thankfulness isn’t even a possibility. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21). We see that it is very possible to know of God and yet not be thankful. So, we can conclude that a thankful person is one who knows for certain that God is working in his or her life.
Thankfulness comes down to a choice of either believing in God or in ourselves. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28). The “knowledge” of God referred to here, relates not to just one’s understanding, but to the heart and will. It is very possible to squeeze thankfulness out of our lives by placing our faith in ourselves.
We can look at the history of God’s people, Israel, and catch a modern perspective of the heart of many today. Speaking of Israel, God said: “For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold — which they prepared for Baal” (Hosea 2:8). Only the thankful know that the great bounty of our country, from its inception, all comes from God. Others see it as self-made wealth, ignorantly making a god of it.
God’s faithful people certainly see physical blessings and are thankful for them. But they also are thankful for the spiritual ones, the deeply personal ones of the heart. King David wrote: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). We are to enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving, part of which consists of blessing His name. That is done by ascribing honor and glory == the speaking of good things — to His name.
God’s benefits to us are immeasurable. “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). Through Christ’s sacrifice for us personally, His mercy or grace is extended to us to grow in. Thereby, we can always be confidently reaching forward throughout life. God’s truth – His word — gives us doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. It is the great stabilizer that guides our steps.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Virtually all things work together for good — whether initially pleasant or not — for those who love God. Truly giving God thanks is a fruit of what is in our heart.
Marshall Stiver
