DRAWING NEAR
February 28
Acknowledging the Ultimate Source of Everything
"Joyously giving thanks to the Father" (Col. 1:11- 12).
Joyous thanksgiving acknowledges God as the giver of every good gift.
The inseparable link between joy and thanksgiving was a common theme
for Paul. In Philippians 4:4-6 he says, "Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice! . . . Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God." He told the Thessalonians to "rejoice
always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:16- 18).
As often as Paul expressed thanks and encouraged others to express
theirs, he was careful never to attribute to men the thanks due to
God alone. For example in Romans 1:8 he says, "I thank my God through
Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed
throughout the whole world." He thanked God, not the Roman believers,
because he knew that faith is a gift from God.
That doesn't mean you can't thank others for the kindnesses they
show, but in doing so you must understand that they are instruments
of God's grace.
Thanking Him shows humility and acknowledges His rightful place as
the Sovereign Lord and the giver of every good and perfect gift
(James 1:17). Those who reject His lordship and refuse to give Him
thanks incur His wrath (Rom. 1:21).
Only those who love Christ can truly give thanks because He is the
channel through which thanks is expressed to the Father. As Paul says
in Colossians 3:17, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Hebrews 13:15 adds, "Through [Christ] then, let us continually offer
up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give
thanks to His name."
As one who is privileged to know the God of all grace, be generous in
your praise and thanksgiving today. See everything as a gift from His
hand for your joy and edification.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Recite Psalm 136 as a prayer of praise to God. For Further Study:
From Psalm 136 list the things that prompted the psalmist's
thanksgiving. How can that psalm serve as a model for your own
praise?
Drawing Near, Copyright c 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
James 1:17 (NKJV)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down
from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow
of turning.
Romans 1:21
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor
were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish
hearts were darkened.
Psalm 136
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures
forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures
forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures
forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures
forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy
endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever;
8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures
forever.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures
forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures
forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy
endures forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures
forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy
endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy
endures forever;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy
endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures
forever;
18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever;
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever;
21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures
forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures
forever.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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