And Be Thankful
It's right that we want to please God because of what he
has done for us. It's gratitude and one of the marks of the world's
degeneracy in Romans 1 was that it lacked gratitude (1:21). So
thankfulness as a response to his holy grace is to be expected in and
from us.
But there's more to being thankful than being "thankful". The
grateful response rises out of the awareness that something wonderful
has been given to us, has happened in and to us. To eat food with
thankfulness (1 Timothy 4:3, for example) involves enjoying it,
receiving it with pleasure. To be thankful means more than to say "thank
you" and it's more than feeling that as a responsibility however true
that is. It is to receive with joy and to appreciate the loveliness and
the richness of the gift. It is to respond first and foremost to the
Giver but it involves a heart response that has recognised the beauty
and richness of the gift.
We ask for a fish and he gives us a serpent? We ask for a loaf and he
gives us a rock and we say "thank you"? We're in danger of drowning and
he helps us by throwing us an anchor and we thank him? One of the joys
of the Lord is that our joy is made full in his joy (John 15:11). God
isn't slow to put us to grief if that serves his holy purpose but he
doesn't purpose to grieve us forever. Blessing and life are his ultimate
aim. So if he puts us to grief we continue to trust him and when he
blesses us richly (as he does) with life and fellowship we are to enjoy
it, we are to be thankful. This is a fit response to grace! If he gives
you a lovely meal, eat it with pleasure and if he leads you to hunger
live and learn. If he gives you salvation--rejoice in it and think it
delicious. So, rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice.