Today our nation and culture harbor an enormous amount of discontent. It appears that no one is pleased about anything. Frustration levels are high. We who know Christ are not immune to the climate of our day. Often, we are more frustrated than the general population. In the guise of tolerance, our society is speeding to moral self destruction. Our government condones and even funds immorality with our tax dollars while it mocks Biblical values. The only thing not tolerated by the higher powers is righteousness. Murderers and thugs run free while godly preachers are imprisoned because they dare challenge government authority over their churches. The list of injustices could go on and on.
It is more important than ever that we remember Paul's instructions to the Ephesians, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In our era of discontent we may think we find little for which to be thankful, but we are to give thanks for [all] things. All things include the unpleasant as well as the pleasant. All things include sorrow as well as joy. All things include trouble as well as blessing.
When some New England settlers were discussing their hardships, a man suggested that they set aside a special day for fasting and prayer. Another man replied that they had been dwelling too much on their problems. Instead, they should focus on their blessings. He pointed out that the colony was making good progress. The harvests were becoming more abundant. The streams were full of fish, and the forests provided plenty of game. More importantly, they now had what they had been seeking when they had left their homeland -- liberty. He recommended that rather than a day of fasting they have a day of thanksgiving.
Ingratitude is a prominent sin of the "perilous times" before Christ returns (2 Timothy 3:1-5). That list of eighteen despicable sins includes faults such as covetousness, blasphemy, and lack of restraint. It also includes ingratitude.
As Bible teacher Harry Ironside began his meal in a crowded restaurant, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Dr. Ironside invited him to have a seat and then bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the man asked, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don't." The man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside responded, "No, why?" "Well," the man said, "I saw you sitting there with your head down and I thought you must be sick, or there was something wrong with your food." Ironside replied, "No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat." The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don't have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!" Ironside said, "Yes, you're just like my dog. That's what he does too!"
We must be careful that the self reliant attitude of our society does not infiltrate our lives. Ingratitude is an offense to God.
In contrast, true thankfulness recognizes God's hand of mercy and grace. Gratitude toward God cannot be silent. Gratitude to God causes one to "publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works," (Psalm 26:7). True gratitude causes the believer to exalt the Lord, demonstrating His greatness to others. "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving," (Psalm 69:30). In this age of discontent and ingratitude, let us, God's people, count our blessings and speak clearly of God's goodness.