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Giving Thanks Always

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 14, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 2.

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“Giving Thanks Always”

THE unnumbered blessings of God flow to us in a continuous stream. These unmerited gifts call for a continuous giving of thanks. We have nothing which is not given to us from God. “He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” He “giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” His only begotten Son is the gift of his love to a world perishing in sin. Through this gift of gifts come all other blessings. The common mercies of life, those blessings which sometimes seem to be expected as a matter of course,—food, raiment, shelter, strength for service, the ability to plan and to execute,—all these are the direct gift of God, and are the constant testimony to his tender mercy toward us. To receive these gifts without recognizing God by giving thanks is to follow in the way of the heathen. The trouble with them was that “knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks.” One of the counts in the indictment against those who have merely the “form of godliness” in the “perilous times” of “the last days” is that they are “unthankful.” The unthankful heart soon becomes the rebellious heart, and is filled with accusations against God. To save us from all this the Lord has often reminded us of the privilege and duty of giving thanks. Again and again do we find the exhortation, “Give thanks unto the Lord.” In a single psalm occur these calls to thanksgiving: “Oh give thanks unto Jehovah.” “Oh give thanks unto the God of gods.” “Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords.” “Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven.” There is no experience of life in which we may not give thanks. This is the application of the instruction given through the apostle Paul, a man who suffered many things for the sake of the gospel: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” He who gives thanks in everything will have many things for which to give thanks, for the thankful man can be trusted with an increase of blessings.