If you would've asked me yesterday if I considered thanksgiving (the action, not the holiday) a sacrifice, I would've told you I didn't. Today, well, that's changed. Last night brother Don Sauder, from our church in Roanoke, spoke to the Washington congregation about God's goodness and God's faithfulness. One of the scriptures he mentioned was Psalm 116.
Thanksgiving does not come naturally to the heart of man. It is our inclination to think we deserve everything we have and more.
We don't. We don't deserve an ounce of it. If we got what we deserved from our almighty, righteous, infinitely holy God, we'd all be damned. And yet God chose to give us the most...the most...I can't even think of a superlative to describe the gift God chose to give us. The gift of salvation. Yet how often do we struggle with being truly thankful because of some earthly, physical situation we find ourselves in? In my case, all too often. Psalm 107:22 says this:Declare his works with rejoicing. Period. Notice it doesn't say, "Declare his works which seem good to you with rejoicing." It doesn't say, "Declare his works which you understand with rejoicing." It says, "Declare his works with rejoicing." That means all his works.
Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, drives this point home by repetition.Thanksgiving requires us to sacrifice our flesh on the altar of obedience. Let us rejoice with thanksgiving today! Let's strive to give our Saviour as much praise as we can muster from our flesh, for He is worthy.
5 comments:
Luke: AMEN brother!
Kristina: "Ya know, I just keep in mind that you can't take it with you and I've never seen a luggage rack on a herse."
I have NEVER thought of it like that. Such a good point.
What I struggle with is when people take advantage of my willingness to do extra work at work. It might not be in my job description but I do it to help people out even though there are others that could do and should. I want to think I don’t have to do this they can do it.
But when I bring that attitude into subjection of what the bible says I have no right to complain I don’t deserve the things I have and I try to do it with thanksgiving and rejoice that I can do it. But its hard for me to do that when I know the only reason I am doing is because someone knows I will do it if they just put it off long enough.
As for comparing yourselves to others I just always try to remember that if I compare myself to someone who has more its only far too also compare myself to someone who has less!
Hope that all makes sense to somebody if not just ignore it.
Great stuff Luke!
i can honestly say there aren't luggage racks on a hearse(; and i would also like to add that to me humbleness is a state of mind that we all know we must be in.....yet not easily attainable. WE all all have things that we consider ourselves to be good at or maybe just something that we do that no one else can. Now the next decision is whether we allow our flesh to say "Hey youre pretty good at this or youre the man!" the right reaction would be to glorify God in all things. He has made us in his image, each different yet we all came from the same creator. We all add different things to the kingdom and thats something to be thankful for!
Wow. I needed that today.
Thanks, Luke.
c.l.beyer: You're welcome. It's nice to see you comment. :) We're excited in Washington about the news that your brother-in-law is going to be joining us. God Bless.
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