“O Lord my God, I will give You thanks for ever”
Why is it, do you think, that many people find it very difficult to say thank you? I remember my parents impressing upon me the importance of always saying ‘thank you’ when I received a gift or when someone had been helpful to me. Perhaps, you also were told, ‘Remember your P’s and Q’s’!
It has been interesting to see that periodically, over these past difficult weeks, thousands of people have put aside their British reserve and have stood together with their neighbours, outside their homes, physically demonstrating their thanks and gratitude for the National Health Service and for all the medical staff, care, support and key workers, who have toiled under incredible pressure and strain and have even being prepared to lose their own lives during this pandemic through which we are all passing.
It is good, and right, to remember those who have been helpful to us. Sometimes, we may have requested help, so of course, thanks is given freely and ungrudgingly when the need has been met. But there are many occasions when spontaneous, unasked for, unexpected or even, totally undeserved help has been given or an unsought, unconditional gift, has been offered.
Sadly, many of us are guilty of neglect, forgetfulness or even downright refusal to give thanks when the need arises to express our gratitude and thankfulness. And maybe this is most obvious when it comes to thanking our Creator, the Lord God Almighty. There is a good, old hymn that many sing at Harvest time:
‘All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all His love.’
When did we last recognise, acknowledge and thank ‘Almighty God, our Creator, our Father Who lives in heaven,’ for all His love, kindness, goodness and provision for us, in this world and for the next?
There are many people around our nation, who find great fulfilment in reciting the words that our Lord Jesus taught His disciples. But how many are religiously saying the words with little thought as to their meaning, or for what they are asking, or have any idea as to how their requests might be answered?
Have you ever thanked God for His gracious answers to your prayers? In God’s word we read:
“Do not worry about anything … bring your requests to the Lord
… and do not forget to thank Him for His answers!”
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Are you experiencing, enjoying and delighting in God’s answers to your petitions in your own life?
… do you know God’s will being carried out in your situation and circumstances?
… are you thankfully enjoying God’s daily provision of your needs?
… are you rejoicing in your sins being forgiven, through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus?
… are you living in the victory of the Lord over all temptation and rejoicing in His deliverance from evil?
… are you looking forward to a joyful eternity in the loving presence of our gracious Father in heaven?
All this, and so much more, is received and experienced by all those people who truly know the Lord Jesus as their loving Saviour, Redeemer and Friend … and that is what makes someone a Christian.
I pray that you who read these words may know and be thankful for all that the Lord has done for you.
Ron Brickman