THANKFUL FOR GRACE

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (Philippians 1:2-7 ESV)

            When Thanksgiving Day is celebrated people often think of tangible things – food, home, career, family, friends, and health. Thanksgiving goes beyond circumstances and situations.

            The theme of Philippians is “rejoice.” Five verses contain the word “joy” – “prayer with joy” (1:4), “joy in the faith” (1:25); “joy complete” (2:2); “great joy” (2:29); “my joy and crown” (4:1). Where was the Apostle Paul located when he wrote this letter? In what surroundings was he feeling joy?

            “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” (Philippians 1:12-13 ESV)

            Paul was expressing joy in a prison cell. This is only possible from a thankfulness resident in the inner sanctum of the soul, a thanksgiving of grace.

Grace is better than tangible blessings

            As a way of life, Paul had little reason to be grateful. He appears to be an unhealthy man, possibly why the physician Luke often traveled with him. Hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, sleeplessness (having tendencies to worry?), hunger, and slander was causing a physical toll. (2 Corinthians 6:4-10) Yet he writes, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (V.10)

            Paul thanked God for a grace equal to his difficulties. Every “thorn in the flesh” was equally matched with God’s grace. He refers to grace by writing, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

            When feeling problems are too great, God matches the problem with greater grace. When the soul cries out in pain, He balances the scales with grace.

            My brother died in 1993 at the age of 47, the day before Thanksgiving. Anyone losing a sibling in the prime of life knows the mind-boggling pain. By grace his death took on a different perspective. Instead of dwelling on the loss, I became grateful to God for having had a brother, and for sharing life together for 44 years.

            The best gift God gives is not gold but grace. The best promise God guarantees is not trouble-free living but an overcoming life.

Society has a few misplaced emphases

            There is a misplaced emphasis on happiness. Happiness is restricted to what happens. God’s concern for you goes beyond what is happening. Circumstances constantly change and are unpredictable, but God keeps life constant by His grace. Fully seek Him in preparation for eternity.

            There is a misplaced emphasis on possessions. Possessions do not make you but you make them. The Biblical character Job was stripped of all his belongings yet got back more. He made his possessions, they did not make him.

            I once read a story about a millionaire putting his wealth aside and attempting to become rich again. He left his estate with only the clothes on his back and ten dollars in his pocket. Finding a job as an auto mechanic, he slept in the back of the garage. Being older and having diminished physical strength, he invented an easier way to change a tire and sold his invention to a manufacturer for a large sum of money. What defines you is not the things you own but the person you are.

            There is a misplaced emphasis of life without tribulation. As we enter the Christmas season, there is no “Peace on Earth” until Jesus comes again. Even though laws attempt to hem in evil and contain wickedness, waywardness is a heart issue and only rooted-out by God. Society should always attempt to stop violence yet peace will only occur in the 1000-year reign of Christ. Until He comes and brings peace on earth, live by grace!

Greater grace comes through greater obstacles.

            Second Corinthians 12:9 states, “…power is made perfect in weakness.” The greatest cause for thanksgiving is the promise, “My grace is sufficient for you….” God showers His tender-mercies on those calling to Him, rejoicing in Him and depending on Him.

            In November of 1621, a full year after the arrival of the first pilgrims, a ship from home brought thirty-five more colonists. These newcomers did not bring one bit of equipment with them – no food, clothing, tools, bedding. The whole colony went on half-rations throughout the winter.

            A historian wrote, “Thus, they did enter … [a] starving time that winter of 1621-22 and were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn a piece.” He went on to write, “They had no choice: Either give in to bitterness and despair, or go deeper into Christ. They chose Christ. Not one of them died of starvation.”

            You have a choice, either thankful for grace or brought low by circumstances.

Application

            Many have read or heard the story of Daniel in a lion’s den. He refused to compromise his loyalty to God and was sentenced to die by hungry lions. His friend, the king, worried about him the whole night. The next morning he hurriedly went to the den to discover his fate. Daniel was still alive by divine intervention. To demonstrate the lion’s unusual behavior, the accusers were cast into the same den and immediately devoured.

            Having lions struck dead and escaping a dark den in answer to your cry is great – it is greater going in among roaring beasts and coming out unharmed. Grace allows you to go into the worst of trouble and come out unscathed.

            On Thanksgiving Day express thanks for His grace.

THE THANKFULNESS OF JESUS

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:15-17 ESV)

            Colossians instructs you to be guided by the peace of Christ, possess the word of Christ and do all in the name of Christ. Intertwined in this exhortation is the chief component making this possible: “Be thankful…with thankfulness in your hearts…giving thanks.” As the Prince of Peace and the Word Incarnate, He did the will of the Father and maintained a thankful attitude.

            When asked “Are you thankful?” some honestly respond, “For what?” People regularly make comments about stress, about pressure on the job and strained relationships in the home. Stress robs thankfulness yet thankfulness is a key ingredient to getting through stressful moments.

            There is always something to be thankful for; here are some unconventional things: “Be grateful…

            For automatic dishwashers! They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before someone comes back in for an after-dinner snack.

            For teenagers! They give parents an opportunity to learn a second language.

            For children who put away their things and clean up after themselves! They are such a joy and you hate to see them go home to their own parents.

            For smoke alarms! They let you know when the turkey’s done.

Jesus was thankful for common things

            And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. (Mark 6:41 ESV)

            Jesus blessed the food. The meal was simply bread and fish, not elaborate. The menu typifies all the common things of life, things needed in order to live – the air you breathe, the clothing protecting you from heat and cold, the lodging where you rest.

            When visiting an extremely elegant restaurant the atmosphere makes people say thanks to the attendants seating them, giving the menu, bringing the meal and opening the door as they leave. A night of fine dining makes people express thanks. How are you with common things, such as a home-cooked meal? A meal at home is usually not in seven courses, served on fine china. The meal is special because of who provides and prepares it.

            When at the hospital for our second daughter’s birth, her two-and-a-half-year-old sister stayed with my parents. My folks did not pray before eating. The first night at dinner the food was set on the table and my daughter sat waiting. Mom said to dad, “You know she is not going to start eating until you say grace.” Dad uncomfortably bowed his head and said, “Grace!” My daughter said, “Grandpa, that’s not how you pray.” He was compelled by his granddaughter to thank the Lord for providing the food.

            You should also thank the person preparing the meal. Our oldest son was high energy and loved being with friends. We often wondered how he behaved at their homes. On one of many occasions he was invited to a friend’s house for dinner. The mother approached my wife later and asked if I regularly thank her after eating. My wife responded, “Yes!” The mother said, “I thought so. After the meal your son ran off with my son but quickly returned and said thank you. This was the first time this has ever happened to me. I knew he must have learned this from his dad. My family never says thanks.”

            Practice thanksgiving for common things. Jesus did!

Jesus was thankful for ordinary people

            At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Matthew 11:25-26 ESV)

            The intelligentsia of life did not impress Jesus. He was impressed with those knowing the toil and struggle of life, with people who fill up everyday living. They have a better grasp of what is important.

            Do not misunderstand: Educators should be honored. The men and women involved in training youth have a great challenge. Teachers have become more than instructors and often deal with tragic situations. They are part social worker, psychologist, close friend and, in some cases, surrogate parent. Education or the admiration of educators should never be minimized.

            The people who often influence your life, however, are just ordinary. My father and my mother’s father were railroad workers, ordinary people. Neither of them had a college education. My dad left school after his father died to care for his mother and brother and later finished High School. His simple lifestyle brought clarity to my understanding of the meaning of life.

            These are the kinds of people Jesus associated with – people more receptive and better able to comprehend the Kingdom of God on account of ordinary events. Please do not take offense but you are probably just ordinary (not ornery, ordinary). Being ordinary can make you special.

Jesus was thankful God hears and answers prayer

            So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” (John 11:41-42 ESV)

            God listens when you come to Him in prayer. Prayers do not end up in some far away galaxy but enter the presence of God. He hears the whispers and the shouts, everything you say to Him. The Lord never tires hearing your voice.

            Early in ministry I drove a school bus to supplement my income. On the bus was a boy named Jamie. His mother must have fed him a bowl of sugar for breakfast every morning. He crazily ran around the bus stop while waiting for the bus and bounced all over the seats when on it. He was moved from the back of the bus, to the middle of the bus, to the front of the bus, to the seat right next to me. The drawback of sitting next to him was he talked the entire trip. I grew tired of his voice.

            In some ways I am like Jamie. I talk endlessly to God while going down the road of life. The difference is He never grows tired of my voice and never tires hearing yours either.

Jesus was thankful for your salvation

            Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:26-29 ESV)

            Jesus was giving more than the ritualistic expression of thanks in the Passover feast. He was thanking God for the provision of your salvation.

            A valuable lesson contained in these verses is you can only be thankful when looking beyond yourself and seeking to accomplish His will. Pain may be involved and required done alone. Faith will be involved and require courage. Jesus was thankful He could provide a way for everyone to have a meaningful relationship with God.

            When in the midst of God’s will, a spirit of thanksgiving floods the soul. The least thankful people live outside His plan. Jesus knew God’s will and did it thankfully.

Application

            Be thankful for common things, ordinary people, prayers being heard and your salvation. When you line up your life with His will, giving thanks comes easy.