Thankfulness

Walk in Wisdom - Gleanings from Scripture

Psalm 50.14 Offer to God a sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most
High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I
will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

Last time, we saw 3 key things to draw out of this
short but pregnant text: God finds Thankfulness,
Faithfulness and Humble Dependence upon Him,
precious.

And we discussed the power of being
thankful. Nothing else can disarm and disgorge
bitterness from the heart than thankfulness. This is
vitally important when we consider that Heb. 12.15
tells us that bitterness fails to obtain the grace of
God, causes trouble and defiles many - spreads to
others. Bitterness grounds itself in one's sense of
being shortchanged, wronged, and that, without any
justice. Thankfulness attacks bitterness head on by
reminding us that we are God's and He is just and
can do us no wrong. SO that even when others do,
He is overruling them, and meaning good for us in
it. But why is it then referred to here as a sacrifice?
Herein lies the rub. Thankfulness is seen as a
sacrifice because it is so very expensive - at least in
fallen, human terms. For us to be thankful you see,
we have to give up very dear products of our own
hearts and mind which are both familiar and
comforting. Things like Self-pity, grudges and
unforgiveness. We hold these kinds of things very
tightly. They serve as a means to justify ourselves
and rationalize all sorts of sins against others. They
are a means to soothe our consciences artificially.
So that we can hit back, and feel right about it. We
don't want to give up the things that allow us to
focus upon ourselves and our sad condition. I mean
if I don't feel sorry for myself, who will?
Thankfulness and rejoicing in God's goodness in
the aftermath of sin robs me of doing penance,
which is so sweet to the self-justifying soul. It takes
away sympathy from others, excuses for inaction,
self-indulgence, rudeness, shortness with others
and lowered expectations all around. I'll have to
surrender anger at God over unmet desires or
unliked providences. These are very expensive and
dear to us. They will cost a lot to give up. Some of
us have a lot invested in those "stocks". Thankfulness
will force us to do so. And, it will free us from their tyranny,
while bringing joy and
gladness to the soul. -- Blessings: Reid
Dulcius Ex Asperiswww.responsivereiding.com

"Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies; and if they will perish,let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them tostay, and not madly to destroy themselves. If hell must be filled, atleast let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for." -C.H. SpurgeonFor from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be theglory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:36 (ESV)
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