Rendering Thanks by H. E. S. Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1907

Rendering Thanks

By H. E. S. Hopkins

H. E. S. HOPKINS

SAYS the psalmist, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” Many times he repeats it.

If the little feathered songsters daily pour forth praise to their Creator, why should not we? Perhaps we praise him on bended knee occasionally; but, like David, we should praise him with the whole heart. We are to give thanks “always for all things unto God.” Eph. 5:20. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.” Ps. 50:23. Very few have fulfilled these precepts, and attained unto Christian character.

Another like admonition is, “Pray without ceasing.” We long to attain to such a holy state that our hearts will be constantly filled with pure aspirations. The Creator bestows rich blessings upon his people, and sends his holy angels to protect them from the evils and dangers which surround them. They are therefore under constant obligation to express gratitude to him as their preserver and benefactor. This is but reasonable. The Almighty intended that man should do this when he created him.

We can not kneel or express our gratitude orally every time we receive a good gift from God; for we are receiving such favors constantly. “Giving thanks always” does not require that we be on our knees constantly. There are times, however, when it seems that open expressions of gratitude are required; and the one who enters into the spirit, as well as the form of open thanksgiving must constantly be benefited by it. This is necessary, that we may reflect the principles of true religion.

The influence we exert tells either for good or evil. If we bear the cross daily, somebody will know it. The Christian is commanded to let his light shine. Do we not always find it true, that the exercise of the religious faculties is just as necessary as that of the arm or the hand? We tone up the physical system by exercise; we improve the moral by practise. At proper times then, it would seem to be our duty to express thanks formally. We may express thankfulness in our very looks, and also in the simplest acts we perform for the benefit of our fellow men.

Unless the spirit of “giving thanks” unto God enters into our very being, we are soon in the background. Selfishness in some of its forms creeps in, and love is driven out.

The human mind is so constituted that the more the selfish faculties are exercised at the expense of the moral, the weaker the moral faculties become, until their action finally ceases. Giving thanks unto God continually, or having a disposition to do so, keeps us spiritually alive. We thus show our appreciation of blessings received and the Giver can trust us with still greater blessings. This is the happy state of mind which the child of God must possess. He is lost without it.

“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”

Pomona, Cal.