Christians are commanded to give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). November is the time of year when many people pause to reflect and show gratitude. Christians should do the same, but not just for one month out of the year. God has given us much to be thankful for. Here are three items for your consideration.
First, God’s providential care. Simply stated, providence refers to provision. Consider the various ways in which God provides for His people. Spiritually speaking He has provided “all things pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). We have redemption through the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7), access to the Father (Eph. 3:12; Heb. 4:16), peace (Rom. 5:1), hope (1 Pet. 1:3), and so much more. Physically speaking, He provides the necessities of life (Matt. 6:33). David said, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). Give thanks because God cares for His people!
Second, fellowship. Paul thanked God regularly with joy because of the fellowship in the gospel that he enjoyed with the brethren at Philippi (Phil. 1:3-5). Fellowship is a beautiful and wonderful thing that should never be overlooked (Ps. 133). Christians are privileged to work and worship with those of like precious faith (2 Pet. 1:1) and the benefits of that privilege are innumerable. Be thankful because we have fellowship with one another!
Third, trouble doesn’t last forever. Peter wrote, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6). Paul emphasized that our “light affliction…is but for a moment” (2 Cor. 4:17). Regardless of the difficulty, we can be thankful in the assurance that the end will come eventually.