The year just passed away has been a year of trial and suffering to many: perplexity in the world, and sorrow in the church of God—what need of prayer and endurance! We feel assured however it will be helpful to our souls, to recount a few of the things for which we can, as believers, give thanks.
1. We can give thanks, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ “hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
For this we have not to pray, but to give thanks. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom lie called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Rom. 8:29, 30.)
We can thus look back into eternity, and give thanks that our salvation is according to eternal purpose. Yes, giving thanks to Him, “who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began.” (2 Tim. 1:9.) What a theme for thanksgiving!
2. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” This again was not in answer to our prayers, but for which we can surely give thanks. And what God purposed in eternity, Jesus accomplished in the fullness of time, or in the due appointed time.
And further, for the believer’s thanksgiving, redemption is not only accomplished, but we have it. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph. 1:7.) Again, we have not to pray for redemption or the forgiveness of sins when we have both, but surely to give thanks.
3. If we believe God we have not to pray for justification and peace. Believing God we are justified. It is written, “By him all that believe are justified from all things.” (Acts 13:39.) We are reckoned righteous, believing God who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1.) All this is distinct cause for thanksgiving.
4. But now as to the present journey through a world where everything is against Christ, and therefore against us as believers, and we, like sheep, ever ready to turn aside. How can we, and for what can we, now give thanks? We can each one give thanks because “the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” We have not to pray for a shepherd, but to give thanks. Oh, to know Him and trust Him more. Think of what He does for us, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,” &c. (See Psalm 23) Is not every verse a wondrous theme for thanksgiving? It is not prayer here.
5. But in the midst of so much temptation, and needing someone to sustain, succor, and help us that we fail not, can we now give thanks? Yes, we can give thanks for our great High Priest. “For In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we, apart from sin.” “Wherefore he is able also to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
6. But if they fail, can they, besides confessing their sins, also give thanks? Yes, they can give thanks because they “have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 2:1.) For, what marvelous themes for thanksgiving.
7. But if they should die, as to the body, can they then give thanks, or is all uncertain in that awful moment? They can surely give thanks, for they well know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (See 2 Cor. 5:1-8.) Concerning this the Christian alone can say “We know,” and therefore he alone can give thanks and say, “We are confident.... and willing’ rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
8. And in the immediate prospect of the coming of the Lord, that which will so terrify the world, can we look forward to His coming and give thanks? Yes, with fullest joy, for come what may Jesus has given this divine assurance: He has said, “I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2, 3.)
Now, beloved reader, if you are a Christian, you can give thanks for every one of these things; and if not, you cannot give thanks for one of them. We might go on, and add greatly to the list of matters of thanksgiving. —Oh, how blessed that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ! C. S.