THANKFULNESS

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

For the past few days, I’ve been thinking about thankfulness. Specifically, I’ve been trying to uncover what thankfulness teaches us about God.

God’s people are exhorted again and again—in various ways—to be thankful: there are thank offerings and psalms of thanksgiving, worship includes thankfulness, Jesus offered thanks before he multiplied the loaves and fish, thanksgiving is to be included in prayer, and the Christian is to be thankful. (In the realm of religious faiths, are the ones based on the God of the Bible the only faiths that hold thankfulness in high regard?)

Certainly, we are to be thankful for who God is and all that He has done for us. We can never thank Him enough for redeeming us from the curse of sin and for His ongoing work in our lives to make us more like Christ. God’s comfort and presence in times of difficulty is another reason to be thankful; we are thankful for our families and friends—the list goes on and on.

If the verse were to read: “let us be fearful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire,’” our relationship with God would be quite different. Our worship would be mandated and there would be a separation between us and Him. However, that we can come before God with thankfulness means that He is for us (He has our best interest at heart) and that He is a personal God (He invites us into His presence).

Thankfulness points to the goodness of God. We would have good reason to fear an all powerful, all knowing, ever present deity, but add to that the quality of true goodness and there is every reason to respond with thankfulness (and praise).

Father, there is so much to thank You for: salvation, sustaining grace, provision, strength to face temptation—the list is endless. Thank You for today and for Your presence. I praise You because You are good.

God’s grace to you,
Jim