Every night at the dinner table, my family members will go around and say three things we’re thankful for. As you can imagine, my children ranging in ages from three to eight say the darnedest things. My three-year-old son Esaias whose speech is really just emerging the last three months can still get out the words, “I’m thankful for mac and cheese,” more often than not. My six-year-old Elianna will likely mention something about her behavior which she struggles with—“I’m thankful that I had a good day,” if it’s been one. And my eight-year-old Eden usually will reference creating something, which she typically does every day, whether it be writing a story or a poem or crafting something out of paper, etc. Because that’s what makes her happy.
When the adults at the table think of what we’re thankful for, we’re not far off from the children, but perhaps on a larger scale. I’m grateful for special family experiences; Daddy is generally thankful just to be able to have dinner with the family. We choose the things that stand out most to us, the greatest blessings that bring the greatest happiness. No matter what we say, for a moment our hearts unite in thanksgiving, knowing that a loving Father has provided all these blessings, and our response is our responsibility.
I wrote last week about what it means to be “blessed,” which in Matthew 5:9 (AMP) means, “spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor.” Life-joy, to me, is the greatest of all blessings because with it we know this world cannot overcome us, no matter what it throws at us. And that same life-joy will carry us on toward heaven when our time comes and last forever in the presence of our ever-giving God. But to be “spiritually calm” and “in God’s favor,” I believe, are equally valuable blessings. But how does someone become blessed in that manner? Especially if that life-joy proves elusive. God longs to bless us even more than we want to be blessed, but what is required of us, outside of a simple faith in Jesus Christ? The answer is, a thankful and obedient heart:
Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments. (Psalm 112:1 AMP)
Blessed [happy and sheltered by God’s favor] is everyone who fears the Lord [and worships Him with obedience], Who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. (Psalm 128:1 AMP)
Behold, for so shall the man be blessed and divinely favored Who fears the Lord [and worships Him with obedience]. (Psalm 128:4 AMP)
Thanksgiving and obedience are our response to a loving God who offers us every spiritual blessing we can imagine. We must choose to be thankful as much as we choose to be obedient, but not out of duty or requirement, but out of a genuine heart of loving reverence, appreciation and hope of even greater blessings which God will not withhold. Our emotions may get in the way at times; I have experienced that more often than I care to admit. We may not feel like obeying, even most of the time. Ultimately our faith must prevail as we choose to express it through obedience to the Lord and His commands.
The result? Let the Word speak for itself:
Hallelujah!
Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
Their children robust on the earth,
And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
Their houses brim with wealth
And a generosity that never runs dry.
Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God’s grace and mercy and justice!
The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,
But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.
Unfazed by rumor and gossip,
Heart ready, trusting in God,
Spirit firm, unperturbed,
Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,
They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.
An honored life! A beautiful life! (Psalm 112:1-9 MSG)
The Art of Choosing True Life 