Are You Thankful?

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:18-21

In the Apostle Paul’s opening to his Roman epistle, he begins discussing the wrath of God in the passage included above.  In these verses he lists the following description of man that calls down God’s wrath: ungodliness, unrighteousness, suppression of the truth.  Paul breaks from his description of man in verse 20 to state that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature” has been made evident to man since the creation, but through suppression of the truth man denies Him.  And in verse 21 Paul states that even though they have perceived God, and knew Him, they did not honor nor give thanks to Him.  This lack of acknowledgement, or thankfulness to God, is a failure to recognize that He alone is the source of everything in man’s life.  James 1:17 states, “Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”  In Genesis 22:14, Abraham names the mountain upon which he was to sacrifice his son Isaac, Jehovahjireh, meaning God our Provider, acknowledging his thanks to God for providing a ram for sacrifice to take the place of his son.

As you gather around the Thanksgiving Day table with family and friends and reflect on what you are thankful for, begin with God and know that He continues to be our Provider, just like He was for Abraham.  No matter what may be going on in your life, know that if you are a child of His “…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” (Matthew 7:11)  And what better gift of God’s to be thankful for than His Son Jesus Christ.  It is because of His incarnation, His life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection that we should be thankful.  Are you thankful for that everyday?

About the author

Christian saved by grace through faith.

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