Guidelines for a Lifestyle of Thankfulness: Part One

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18).

With the approach of Thanksgiving and so much for which to be thankful let’s celebrate the holiday with hearts of gratitude.

Jesus had a word for unthankful people. He was very select in choosing the proper descriptive word for ingrate. In addressing the ungrateful farmer, whose bumper crop overfilled his barns, Jesus said to him, “Thou fool…” The Greek word employed by Dr. Luke (12:20) was “aphron” meaning “the lack of common sense perception,” or signifying “without reason.”  It is simply reasonable to be thankful.

Our predecessors knew this and set aside a special day, called Thanksgiving, for the purpose of acknowledging thanks to God.

President George Washington issued the following presidential proclamation in 1789: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor–and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God….”

It sounds like our first president knew the difference between separation of church and state and the employment of Biblical principles by a Christian statesman.

Jesus said it is “mindless,” the practice of a “fool” not to give thanks.

Not a theologian by any means, but a very delightful children’s character, Mr. Greenjeans, used to remind us of the two magic words: please and thank you.” They reach their zenith of meaning in regard to the Lord.

Francis Schaeffer, a true theologian once said, “The beginning of man’s rebellion against God was, and is, the lack of a thankful heart.”

There is a modification of the little chorus, “It is me, it is me O Lord, Standing in the Need of Prayer.” For some it is simply now for some egotists. “It is me or Lord, it is me O Lord standing….” False self-sufficiency is self-defeating.

In the Old Testament 13 Hebrew roots, found in 27 different words, are used primarily for some aspect of joy or joyful. The Lord is the source of joy.

Pure joy is joy in the Lord as both its source and object. The psalmist said, “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Ps 16:11).