So, this past week, we thought about all that we have to be thankful for as we celebrated Thanksgiving Day. Some may say that they have very little or nothing to be thankful for, but I think if we look at our lives, and all that God has done, and all that He has promised to do, we actually do have many things to be thankful for. Anyway, I was in a situation recently where I found myself thinking about some things that I could thank God for. I also, in that same situation, found some things for which I had to hope. Maybe we’re thankful for one thing, but continue to hope for another. Maybe we’re thankful for one degree of answer to prayer, but continue to hope for something more complete.
So, I would like to take the opportunity in this lesson to make two points: First, do not allow your hope for something else or something more to preclude you from giving thanks for what you have. Second, find an attitude in your heart wherewith you can give thanks for that which you only hope for. Give thanks because you know that God is faithful and your hope is well placed.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Heb 11:1-2, 39-40, 12:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. ... (39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. ... (12:1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1Co 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
(Careful: to be anxious about, to take thought)
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