We enjoyed a wonderful storm last night. It was awesome. Plenty of water for the gardens and reservoirs. Thank you, Lord, for the rains–we appreciate it. But then, we have so much to be thankful for!
Jenny and I are a family, and we are in isolation together. We can share ourselves–thank you, Lord, for Jenny.
We have a home to share with each other–thank you Lord for this home.
We have food to eat and tea, coffee, cold drink and water–thank you, Lord, for these things that sustain.
We have money … not that we can easily use it … thank you, Lord, for money.
We have a TV, laptop, and cellphones we can use to be entertained and to communicate–thank you, Lord, for these things.
We have a garden to enjoy and work in–thank you, Lord, for letting us be able to go outside.
We have electricity and water, lights at night, power to run the fridge, stove and kettle–thank you, Lord, for these resources.
We have soap and deodorant; we can shower and clean up–thank you, Lord, for soap, toothpaste & deodorant.
We have clothes and shoes to wear–thank you, Lord, for bodily protection.
We have fencing and walls to protect us–thank you, Lord, for our security.
We have vitamins to stay healthier–thank you, Lord, for these.
We may not have protection against the coronavirus. We may not have medical masks and gloves. We may be running out of hand sanitizer. We might be running out of fruit and other non-essentials … but we still have so much to be thankful for!
Yet, the greatest and most glorious gratitude in life is not any of the above, nor this planet and its beauty but God’s gracious gift of salvation that is all of grace through faith.
Ps 95:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Following salvation, there needs to be gratitude for the gift of prayer!
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dear God, I stand amazed at the gifts you give me … especially my salvation, your Word and prayer. Amen.