More than we can ever know, our attitude and actions are affected by gratitude. When a man has a thankful heart he will gladly do as he should without urging or prodding from others. Even his ability to enjoy life depends on whether or not he is thankful. And the key to being grateful is remembering from whence came our blessings. He who forgets that is headed for trouble.
James Smith wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above; creatures apart from God are empty cisterns, dry wells, deceitful brooks. All good dwells in thy God, and flows from Him to thee. Every crumb is from Christ.
What He gives freely, cost Him groans, sweat, and blood, to procure for thee. View Him as the source of all good, and His atonement as the medium through which all flows to thee. He gives thee thy temporal mercies, and thy spiritual blessings; He gives thee also the ability to enjoy them, and employ them for His glory. He directs all events, whether pleasing or painful.
“Be not angry with yourselves,” said Joseph to his brethren; “it is not you, but God.” To Him therefore your mind should be directed in prayer, dependance, and praise.
Look above creatures, and see the Lord’s hand, as did Job, Eli, David, and Paul. Rest with unshaken confidence and filial resignation on His word, power, and providence, and love; ever remembering that all things come of Him. The Lord will give us that which is good, and a blessing with it, if we are looking to, and walking with Him. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above – from Jesus.”
He sank beneath our heavy woes,
To raise us to His throne;
There’s ne’er a gift His hand bestows,
But cost His heart a groan.
