When I was young girl, I knew an elderly gentleman who always sang a special hymn around this time of year. He is no longer here on earth to sing this song of praise for us, but his life has left a lasting impact because it evidenced the words he sang. He truly was thankful to God for all of the pleasures as well as through the pains that come along life's journey. When I hear the words to the following song, the memories I have of this dear man whose life was sincere and strong in character because he walked closely with the Lord remind me of how sweet life can be when my focus remains on Christ and when I am truly thankful to Him no matter what the circumstances.
Thanks to God
Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!
It is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States (and our Canadian neighbors also had a day set aside for giving thanks just a month ago). Truly every one of us has something to be thankful for - even life itself! Most of us have other good things for which we can be thankful, too - family and friends, shelter, food, and other comforts in life.
But have you ever considered that we can also be thankful for the "bad" things? Trials may come our way, and there may be times of grief or pain, but with those things a strength of character comes when we trust God to work it out. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18) Even in hard times we can find something for which to give thanks.
So, let us look at all that is around us with grateful hearts. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100)
May we truly be thankful to Him for the many ways He shows us His love each day. "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5) To me, just the wondrous thought of knowing my sins are forgiven fills my heart with gratitude.
I hope you are thankful and that you realize from Whom it all comes. "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 107:1)
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6)
