Thank God by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 2, 1910

Thank God

By C. M. S.

God emptied heaven of its richest treasure to make us happy subjects of his realm. Our Saviour, in order that he might know and feel our sorrows, became a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Because we dwell in flesh that is mortal, corruptible, temptable, having in it the accumulated tendencies of centuries of sin, “he also himself likewise took part of the same.” In other words, he “himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.” Matt. 8:17. And this is equivalent to saying that he became one of us. In fact, the Inspired Word makes that very statement: “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest.” And here is the reason for it stated again: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 2:14-18. Wonderful provision! Wonderful fairness! Wonderful justice! Wonderful love! All this was done for our good—not that we might have no occasion to accuse him, but that nothing might be left undone in the work of saving men. He has done all this and more.

It is not possible for us to go through life without feeling the infirmities of the flesh in some degree; and there are many, very many, whose pain-racked bodies are a continual testimony to them of the weaknesses, frailties, and infirmities of the flesh, till they wonder if God still lives and cares. But God tells us that “we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.” And again, “In all their affliction he was afflicted.” If we are children of God, there is no sorrow or pain which we are called to bear but Christ has felt it and bears it with us. He is the kindest physician that ever ministered to the woes and ills of humanity. He feels our infirmities, and bears our diseases. Never doubt it again; but thank him that he does know and feel and care.

Have we felt the pangs of hunger? He has felt them as we never did. Have we dwelt in poverty, and been spurned by the well-to-do and great of earth? Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ, “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” So poor did he become, that he had “not where to lay his head.” But he became poor voluntarily and for a purpose; not that he might ultimately gather greater riches to himself, but that he might make us joint-heirs with himself in the riches of heaven and in the earth made new.

It is a truly wonderful thing to be taken into this everlasting partnership. If you are not yet a partner in that firm, know that the way has been opened whereby you may become one. Then step into the opened way. He has done his part to bring it about. Thank him that he has, and then go and do yours.

If you are a tiller of the soil, remember that as year by year you have planted the seed, God has watered that seed with his rain and warmed it with his sunshine. You sowed, and he multiplied the seed; you planted, and he heaped up, in your cellars and granaries, the increase that fed and clothed you, kept a roof over your head, and a pleasant couch under that roof. You sowed one, and God made it thirty; you planted one, and God made it fifty; you purchased sheep and cattle, and God gave you food for them, and they increased to your account. You labored in sun and rain and cold to provide for your children; but God alone could make any good come out of all you did. He crowned your efforts with success, filled your plowed land with waving grain, and your fruit-trees with their bounty. There ought to be enough in this to make every tiller of the soil glad to acknowledge God’s goodness and love, and return him thanks for the bounties he has bestowed upon man.

But these are the temporal things. What of the great beyond? Without the knowledge of God, we are hopeless. He has set before us the hope of an eternal inheritance in an everlasting kingdom. We were sold under sin; he has redeemed us by his own blood. We were full of sin; he has promised to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity. Sin had burned itself into our very bones; but “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Friends have forsaken us; but he declares, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We have been through sorrow, affliction, strife, and turmoil; but Christ’s promise is, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” We are in constant need of help; he has filled his Book with unfailing promises of help for us in every time of trial. And when that great day of days shall come, he will take us under the wings of his protection, and hide us from everything that could do us harm.

What thanks are due him! All we

have that is justly in our keeping came from him; and all that Christ is heir to he has promised we shall share with him. When we have truly thanked him for all his great and marvelous gifts to us, we shall only have begun to understand how much there is to thank him for. Learn to thank God. C. M. S.