Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from our family to yours!
Today is a great day to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. I want to share with you a portion of a great song that reminds us to be thankful, even if we are suffering or going through very difficult times, for the gift of God's only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart – Henry Smith
This classic praise song from the mid-80s has a simple yet timeless message. Song-writer Henry Smith grew up playing secular rock and living for himself, but God got a hold of his heart and dramatically saved him. His faith grew strong, but unfortunately his eyes grew weak. Henry eventually lost his sight because of a degenerative eye disease, but he never charged God and was always thankful. He wrote “Give Thanks” as an expression of his eternal gratefulness to God for the gift of salvation.
This classic praise song from the mid-80s has a simple yet timeless message. Song-writer Henry Smith grew up playing secular rock and living for himself, but God got a hold of his heart and dramatically saved him. His faith grew strong, but unfortunately his eyes grew weak. Henry eventually lost his sight because of a degenerative eye disease, but he never charged God and was always thankful. He wrote “Give Thanks” as an expression of his eternal gratefulness to God for the gift of salvation.
All of the words of this song can be seen HERE.“Give thanks with a grateful heart.
Give Thanks to the Holy One.
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His son.
And now, let the weak say ‘I am strong!’ Let the poor say ‘I am rich!’
Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks.”
It seems that when we are going through very tough times, we come to a "Y" in the road. We can either let our problems overcome us, and become angry and bitter against God, or, we can remember that He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, that He loves us no matter what, that He hears our prayers, and He is working all things together for our good according to the plans He has for us.
Here are some verses that I hope will be of encouragement to you today if you are in the midst of difficult times.
"Before I was afflicted (forced to go through sufferings and trials) I went astray: but now have I kept thy word." Psalm 119:67.
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:71.
"I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75.
"But though he cause (or allows) grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men." Lamentations 3:32,33.
God's ways are much higher and far above our ways and thoughts. We usually want immediate deliverance from our problems, and we think He does not hear our prayers when this doesn't happen. But God knows just what is needed in our lives to accomplish the purposes and plans He has for us, and His plans for us are far better than anything we can plan for ourselves!
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Ephesians 3:20,21.
I hope these words will encourage you to give thanks to God on Thanksgiving day and every day!
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15.
