How’s your thanks giving going? No, not your preparation for the holiday. I mean your practice of being (or not being) a thankful person. In Ephesians 5:20 we read,
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Our extended family has formed a tradition during November where every family member (almost 40 of us ages 3 -96) posts a picture, on an assigned day, of one thing that they are thankful for. So far this year, the items have included animals, books, food, driveways, furniture and trees. What a great thing to pause for a moment and thank God for the simple good things that God brings into our lives.
But our thanksgiving is to go much deeper than just an appreciation for the simple good things that God brings into our lives.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:18
We’re encouraged to be thankful not just for those things that we enjoy but for those difficult and trying things that are a part of our lives as well. Things that, right now, may be bringing pain, frustration, sadness or confusion. Have you ever stopped to ask why are we to be thankful in all things?
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34
In this verse (and because we may be thickheaded, it’s repeated 6 more times in the Old Testament) God gives us 3 deeper reasons to be thankful.
1. Give thanks because God is good.
This phrase is contained in several places in scripture and while what follows may mention some of God’s good benefits to us, it starts with the simple but profound encouragement to be thankful for God’s character of goodness. He is by nature good. Give thanks for that! Everything that he does is good, not just the benefits that we appreciate. Be thankful that His only motivation toward us is goodness and faithful love. God never does anything “bad’ to us. He may discipline us for bad things that we have done or may allow us to endure the negative consequences of our actions but even those are things are ultimately “good” for us too.
There’s a lot more that we could say about this but let me just make a few observations about God and his goodness
God is the source of all good in the world.
James 1:17, “Every good and perfect endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Psalm 145:9 “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
God does only good things for His people
Ps 84:11, “No good thing does God withhold for those who walk uprightly.”
In everything God works for good toward those who love Him.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
He gives good things to those who ask Him.
Matt 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
His discipline is a manifestation of His love and is for our good
Hebrews 12:10 “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”
In His goodness, God is merciful toward those in distress, He offers grace to toward those who deserve only punishment and He is patient toward those who continue to sin.
But there’s a bit more to this verse that adds weight to our confidence in God’s goodness. Here’s 2 more reasons to be thankful.
2. Give thanks because God is always good.
The Hebrew word used here is “hesedh“, a steadfast and faithful love; lovingkindness that is loyal and full of mercy.
3. Give thanks because God’s love endures forever.
He is eternal and His love will always be present for us and always endure. It does not change.
Understanding and embracing the truth of God’s goodness will bring great comfort to all areas of our life.
Ps 73:25-26, “Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,”
Since God Himself is the ultimate good that we seek, let me suggest 2 applications.
Let the truth that God is good be the lens that you look through to help you understand, accept and respond rightly to any current hard circumstances that you are walking though right now.
Let God’s goodness be an attribute that you imitate. Be like God and strive to do good to all men.
Galatians 6:10, So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to whose who are of the household of faith.
About the Author:
Rollie and his wife Sandi are children of God, parents of three adult children, and members of Trinity San Antonio Church.