Quiet Time: Thanksgiving Abounds

Thanksgiving Abounds

For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. 

– 2 Corinthians 4:15

I was watching a program the other night where the network's stars from all of the sitcoms and shows sat around a table filled with traditional Thanksgiving chattel. As the camera panned out from a close up of the person seated at the head of the table, she began praying the perfunctory universally acceptable thanksgiving prayer. I wondered out loud, “So, who’s she praying to?”   

The Corinthians had an intimate understanding of the cause for thankfulness. They'd seen their spiritual father, Paul suffer much at the hands of those who opposed the gospel (2 Cor. 1:6). Paul understood that his persecution was for the betterment of the new believers (2 Cor. 4:15; Rom. 8:28). 

The Corinthians had accepted with joy the good news Paul had preached to them, that their sins were wiped away by the blood of Jesus the Messiah, but now they were seeing the price Paul paid for delivering that message to them; his affliction, persecution, and physical torture (2 Cor. 4:7-12). 

Paul’s example of confidence and joy, regardless of the circumstances, inspired the Corinthians to get involved through prayer , giving, and in sharing the Gospel with more fervency (2 Cor. 1:11; 2 Cor. 9:11-12). As a result, many people came to accept salvation through Christ and both old and new believers rejoiced together with hearts full of thanksgiving and praise to God.

Without Christ what’s the point in praying, or being thankful for that matter. 

With Jesus, thanksgiving abounds from here to eternity.

I am thankful for:

·         Church leaders who inspire confidence in following Christ

·         My sins being washed away by the blood of Jesus

·         New believers who experience the joy of their salvation

·         Things not seen eternal and beyond anything I can imagine