Thursday, November 26, 2009

 

Could I do any less?

John 11:41: Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me."

Most of our mothers taught us to be thankful - or at least to say "thank you" when someone did something for us or gave us something. Being thankful is just plain good manners - being polite.

This is a thankfulness that can be given without surrendering self-sufficiency and arrogance.

Then there's thankfulness that comes from humility - a thankfulness that recognizes that you have been given things that you do not deserve, that you have not earned, that in reality, you are not capable of providing for yourself.

This is thankfulness that acknowledges the inadequacy and emptiness that can only be filled by a kind Creator who is in and of Himself, all sufficient, generous and loving.

This is thankfulness that, when offered to God, is true worship - a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Psalm 50:22,23
Now consider this
(you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver)
consider this: He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.
And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.

In the gospels Jesus often gave thanks to the father - an expression of appreciation, and an acknowledgement that, in His humanity, He was totally dependent upon the Father.

Could I do any less?

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