Thanksgiving – Thought Of The Day

Harvey Mackay, a successful businessman once said:

“It’s only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to your success.” * (*Harvey Mackay Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from BrainyQuote.com; web link: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/harvey_mackay_528735)

Thankfulness is not humanity’s natural ingredient. People aren’t exactly born grateful. We like to look at the things we lack and unwittingly diminish the value of everything we’ve already been given. Despite our natural tendencies, however, we need to sit back from time to time and count our blessings.

Put yourself in God’s shoes for a minute – strictly hypothetical of course since these are big shoes to fill – and imagine all the people talking to you only want your attention because they want something from you. How would that make you feel?

I’m sure God loves to be addressed when we are in need. Life is no joke. Bad things happen to good people. And yet, if prayer is used only in times of an emergency, then we really don’t know God very well. The apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters (1 Thessalonians 5:17):

“Pray continually”

Praying continually means that the Lord is the center of our lives. Our prayers have extended beyond emergency situations and we have an ongoing conversation with Him. God is with us for better or worse, in good times or bad. He is the best Friend we will ever have.

It is easy to get depressed in times of trouble. When we have a problem we tend to focus on the dark side which doesn’t really help. Turning our eyes to the Lord and taking note of His wonderful gifts will pull us out of a vortex of negativity.

It benefits us to develop an attitude of gratitude. Our demeanor changes and people find us more attractive; nobody likes a nag. So for God’s sake and our own – let us be thankful.

“Always look on the bright side of life” Eric Idle

Prophet Isaiah is stunned. Whatever happened in his life has put him in wonder and awe. God had revealed Himself to him. He prayed (Isaiah 25:1):

“I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”

We all wear blinders when it comes to the spiritual world. God is the One who opens our eyes so we can see more than just the physical world around us. A veil is hanging right in front of our spiritual eyes. The Lord lifts the veil whenever He makes His presence known. It is through His inspiration that we believe.

Perhaps the Lord shows you the solution to a complex problem that has been plaguing you; or perhaps after running into closed doors for an extended period of time He shows you a window of opportunity; whatever it is that God reveals to you, it’s a reason to celebrate.

As we praise the Lord we are in the company of angels. Thanking God we honor Him, and honoring Him He honors us with His presence.

Whenever God shines His light on me, opens up my eyes so I can see! (Van Morrison)

Category: Thanksgiving

Psalm 95:1-2: “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”

Isaiah 25:1: “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.”