“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
Have you ever been on a journey to search for a gift for someone, not a short one, but one that you spent much time searching for, contemplating about, even struggling with, and then, after you have found it, wrapped it with great care, even love, and presented it to the one it is intended for, they do little more than thank you with a smile? No fawning over you, no great enthusiasm or excitement, nothing even close to the appreciation you were hoping for or envisioning?
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
How many times have you heard people say, “We sure could use some rain,” and then after that blessing of water from the sky comes, complain because it was too little or too much?
Many people go through their entire lives without even once saying, “Thank you Lord,” even some who profess to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will, over time, forget what could be called the “expected blessings,” and do not give thanks for them. Sometimes, my friends, it takes the removal of something in our lives before we can be taught to appreciate all those blessings that come down from our Father.
“For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matt. 6:32)
For that cold drink of water, or that water to clean yourself with, for the food to keep your body functioning, or the ability to earn the money to purchase that food, for the most expected items we give little thought to, such as the ability to go to the bathroom.
For the rain.
I will leave it up to you as to how often you believe you should say “Thank you” to your Father in heaven, this short letter is not meant as a reminder of those small, almost minor items we are blessed with, those we tend to take for granted each day, but whether or not you can still give thanks when they are removed. But perhaps even beyond that, do you remember to praise His name when they are returned to you?
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)
I do not say here that if you forget to give thanks that He will remove those items we tend to take for granted, but He may, in a sense, be as that one who spent so much time seeking for that perfect gift, and when it is offered receives little more than a lukewarm “Thank you,” and then sets it aside as a lite thing.
The Almighty does not expect the wicked to thank Him, not even for that rain, but I do believe that He expects those servants who call Him Lord and Master to give Him the glory for even the most minor blessing, for we are to remember at all times that every one of them, good or evil, comes from Him with whom we all have to do.
Thank you, Lord, for the pain, thank you for the strength to serve you in it, thank you for removing it.
If there is one thing that Satan hates, it is those who give praise to the Living God in every circumstance, in wants and needs, in drought or plenty.
That praise is due to God, the “thank you’s” are not reserved only for those times that we consider blessings, but for every step on the path that He has set us on. If it has arrived in your life, it is a blessing, and those blessings, that gift, should be appreciated above all measure.
