Giving Thanks

Thanks! Thks! Tx! Tq!

Dear Children,

Most often than not when we sms to our friends, we would end of with either “Thanks!”; “Thks”’ “Thx” or “Tq”. It is certainly appropriate that we end our sms with some Christian grace and courtesy. But do you thank God for all His mercies and His favour upon you?

Do you ever thank God that you are a student? Do you thank God for homework and that you have the strength to do them? Do you thank God for your parents, your siblings? Do you thank God for clothes to wear, water to drink, appetite to eat and a shelter over your head? If you have, praise God! But these are the things we could thank God for.

What about those things that are not nice? For example, failing in a test, having friends who are unfriendly, teachers who are very stern, encountering schoolwork that is difficult or going through an illness. These circumstances are called trials or difficulties in life. What is your attitude then? You must thank God for them. God in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” If you read carefully this command from the Lord, He wants us to give thanks in everything. That means, good times or bad times. A godly example we could follow is Job. His wife wanted him to curse God because of the misfortune that has befallen upon them. But what did Job respond? In a very thankful and worshipful manner he said, “What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” Job 2:10.

Soon you would have finished your exams. If the results that you received are not up to your expectations, are you going to complain or feel discontented? If you are in that state, remember what God said in 1 Thessalonians 5:18—“In everything give thanks…”

You give thanks to God that you have been given good health and strength to undergo your exams. You thank God for the teacher who put in effort to mark your papers. You thank God for your parents or tuition teachers who have coached you. You thank God that He is using these results to humble you and to cause you to work harder for His glory. You give thanks also that this is His will for you in Christ Jesus.

We believe in a sovereign God. We know nothing happens by chance. Whatever circumstances happen in our lives, God allowed it according to His will and good pleasure. We know that all things will work together for good to those that love God to them who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Joseph made an insightful remark when after Jacob his father died, his brothers were afraid that he would take the opportunity to seek revenge. But Joseph assured the brothers with this words of comfort, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20

Everyday, night and day, constantly, continually, all the days of your life, you must thank God no matter what the circumstances you are in because “it is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. Let us not be like the nine lepers who did not return to give thanks to Jesus when he healed them.

Conclusion

Remember, we are all debtors to God and therefore we ought to give thanks to Him. It is our Christian duty and it must come from our hearts. I would like to end with this poem:

A Poem on Learning to Have a Grateful Heart

Forgive Me When I Whine

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair; I envied her -- she seemed so cheerful, and how, I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet -- the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find"; he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.

Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine; oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

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