Pod Cast :
The Deeper Value of Thankfulness
THANKFULNESS IS A TRUE SPIRITUAL LAW
Actions which automatically work are called laws. They cannot be denied. Gravity is a law, so is thankfulness. The first observable law is that 'Spiritual blessings come to those who are thankful'. Therefore it is assumed that law observation number two is the converse ' Spiritual Decadence comes with LACK OF thankfulness or ingratitude'.
2 Timothy 3:1-3 NKJV 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL , unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
Those who are not grateful or thankful seem to drink in evil influences.
Romans 1:21 NKJV 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The Apostle Paul further encouraged thankfulness. He emphasized thankfulness in a number of his letters advising Christians on how to grow and overcome spiritually.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NKJV 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 GIVING THANKS ALWAYS for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul is stating that thankfulness is a major force to buoy up the spirits of believers. It can help strengthen the believers in Christ in our hearts, just as music and other positive emotional activities do. The believer that is thanking God for blessings, and in some cases, even trials, is getting stronger. The act of thanking draws Christians closer to Christ. The spirit of lack of thankfulness or ingratitude pulls us away from Jesus. It works with certainty and automatically because it is a spiritual law or principle. One of the secrets of spiritual peace is being thankful.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:7 NKJV 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
THE PERSON WHO IS THANKFUL for whatever God has blessed him with is more likely to be mature enough to remain contented in all situations. This leads to law observation number three' Happy, contented people are mature, grateful and thankful '. The thankful people can handle all situations better than the spoiled people who are easily made discontented and are usually unthankful.
Philippians 4:11-12 NKJV 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
This contented statement comes just a few lines after Paul recommends being thankful. A thankful believer is naturally more contented than an unappreciative person.
Colossians 4:2 NKJV 2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
GOD REQUIRES THANKFULNESS FOR CONTINUED BLESSINGS
One of the first things you notice in the Bible is that God required the Israelite's, who brought offerings to the Tabernacle, was to recite the things they were thankful for regarding God's blessing of his people. Note one of the first and earliest instructions given to the people as transmitted by Moses. After giving the gift to God they were to recite :
Deuteronomy 26:5-10 NKJV 5 "And you shall answer and say before the LORD your God: 'My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 'But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. 8 'So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. 9 'He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, "a land flowing with milk and honey"; 10 'and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O LORD, have given me.' Then you shall set it before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God.
This prepared speech was to thank God for rescuing the people from the iron furnace of Egyptian slavery. The peoples' offering would then be accepted and they would receive future blessings. God wants and requires thankful children.
Psalms 67:3-6 MKJV 3 Let the people praise You, O God; let all the people THANK YOU. 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You shall judge the people righteously and govern the nations on earth. Selah. 5 Let the people GIVE THANKS to You, O God; let all the people praise You. 6 The earth shall yield its increase; and God, our own God, shall bless us.
A parent is more likely to give more gifts to an appreciative and positive gift receiver rather than a negative, “you owe it to me” demand-er of a gift.
WHY WAS DAVID A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART, THANKFULNESS?
Clearly David was appreciative of all God did for him; however, thankfulness was one of David most important traits but not his only trait loved by God. He was loyal and loving of God. He was brave and heroic, yet humble. All these traits fit with his thankfulness motif. He was a loving, thankful, positive man of action. One event from David's earliest career shows his thankful character.
1 Samuel 18:16-18 NKJV 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 17 Then Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles." For Saul thought, "Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the
Philistines be against him." 18 So David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
Most young men in this situation would have said “ I am a national hero of the greatest order why wasn't I given the princess already” . You owe it to me! No, David was thankful for all he had been given and was not pushing for more, nor was he presumptuous. He was humble and appreciative. Few men could have handled that level of fame so well. He was credited with ten times the victories of the king, and yet was humble and thankful.
David wished to thank God by giving him a home for his seat the Ark of the Covenant a beautiful, fabulous, Temple to call home. He was ebullient in his love and appreciation of God.
2 Samuel 6:5 MKJV 5 And David and all the house of Israel were dancing to the LORD, playing on all instruments of fir wood, with lyres and with harps, and with tambourines, and with sistra, and with cymbals.
They did it incorrectly but rejoiced and were even more vigorously rejoicing and thanking God once they delivered the Ark correctly.
2 Samuel 6:13-16 MKJV 13 And it happened that when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might. 16 And it happened as the ark of the LORD came to the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD. And she despised him in her heart.
Even though God said No, to David's idea baby, he was still so appreciative of God's countering his offer. God said you want to build me a house , no you won't be allowed to do it but I am going to build a house for you. David praised and thanked God humbly. Law observation number four is ' A thankful heart is focused more on God than self ' . A thankful heart submits to God's sovereign purpose and is thereby blessed spiritually. A thankful heart focuses on God's grace and is thereby given even more forgiveness blessings.
Luke 7:41-50 MKJV 41 There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And they having nothing to pay, he freely forgave both. Then which of them do you say will love him most? 43 And answering, Simon said, I suppose that one to whom he forgave most. And He said to him, You have judged rightly. 44 And He turned to the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, yet you gave Me no water for My feet. But she has washed My feet with tears, and has wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
The Pharisees did not realize that they were being painted as the ungrateful who would get less grace.
46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little. 48 And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven. 49 And those reclining with Him began to say within themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? 50 And He said to the woman, Your faith has saved you, go in peace.
The more humility and thankfulness for God's graciousness, the more all believers will be blessed.
