When I was teaching the children’s Bible class last week, I asked one of the boys to lead a prayer. He was not quite sure what for what to pray, and I encouraged him to pray for the things for which he was thankful to God. Looking around the room, he prayed for things he was reminded from things he could see on the wall. I know that I sometimes struggle with remembering to thank God for all the many blessing of this life. Here are just a few things which I think Christians ought to be thankful for.
- The world in which we live. God created a beautiful, magnificent place for us to dwell. In Genesis 1:31 the Bible states: “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”
- Family. Christians ought to not only be thankful for our physical family, but also their spiritual family: the church, their brothers and sisters in Christ.
- The love of God. I think that the following verse sums it up very nicely: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
- The patience of God. I have to admit that I borrowed this thought from my husband’s sermon this morning. The Lord is patient by allowing the earth to continue to exist so that all in the world might come to obedience to Him. Second Peter 3:9 states: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
- The sacrifice of Christ. As previously mentioned, the Lord sent His only son to die so that through obedience people can be saved from their sins. Ephesians 5:2 states: “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Also Hebrews 10:12-14 states: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
I know that there are many, many other blessings for which Christians should be thankful. What other things should Christians be thankful for?