Daily Devotional
Thanks For All Things

December 29, 2016

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God…” (Ephesians 5:20)

When should we be thankful? This verse says “always.” If he had said “sometimes,” it wouldn't be so hard. Why always? Because every day we receive a fresh delivery of benefits.

"Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits." (Psalm 68:19) And "they are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23)

With my first waking thoughts, first thing out of bed, I try to lift my heart to God in praise. Develop the habit of saying, “Lord God, I love You, I praise You. Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.”

What should our thanks be for? For all things. In the midst of loss and heartache, you can thank Him for your faith. Thank Him that you're saved and on the way to heaven, "singing to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…making melody in your heart to the Lord." If you're a child of God, whatever your condition is, you ought to be able to thank God every day. No matter what happens, thank Him for your faith. If you have food to eat, thank Him for your food. If you have clean water to drink—and many don’t—thank Him for clean water. Do you have friends and family? Thank Him for them!

One of the greatest acts of faith that you can ever perform is just simply to say, “O God, no matter what, I will praise you. I will bless you for all things.”