April 24, 2020 
In everything give thanks!
(Thomas Watson, “All Things for Good”)
“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
See what cause the saints have to be frequent in the work of thanksgiving! In this, Christians are defective; though they are much in supplication–yet they are little in thanksgiving. The apostle says. “In everything give thanks!“ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why so? Because God makes everything work together for our good.
We thank the physician, though he gives us a bitter medicine which makes us nauseated–because it is to make us well. We thank any man who does us a good turn; and shall we not be thankful to God–who makes everything work for good to us?
God loves a thankful Christian! Job thanked God when He took all away: “The Lord has taken away–blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21. Many will thank God when He gives; Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew that God would work good out of it.
We read of saints with harps in their hands–an emblem of praise. Revelation 14:2. Yet we meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouths! But there are few with their harps in their hands–who praise God in affliction.
To be thankful in affliction–is a work peculiar to a saint.
Every bird can sing in spring–but few birds will sing in the dead of winter!
Everyone, almost, can be thankful in prosperity–but a true saint can be thankful in adversity!
Well may we, in the worst that befalls us, have a psalm of thankfulness–because God works all things together for our good. Oh, be much in giving thanks to God!
~ ~ ~ ~
And did the Holy and the Just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?Yes, the Redeemer left His throne,
His radiant throne on high,
(Surprising mercy! love unknown!)
To suffer, bleed, and die!He took the dying traitor’s place,
And suffered in his stead;
For man (O miracle of grace!)
For man, the Savior bled!Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell
In Your atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from Hell,
And rebels brought to God!What glad return can I impart
For favors so divine?
O take my all, this worthless heart,
And make it wholly Thine!
Anne Steele, 1859
iChristian 
Great post, Steve! It’s true, finding something to be thankful for truly lifts the spirit. I have a page on my blog called, ‘Today I am Thankful For’ – I’m afraid I’ve neglected it recently and have marked it as private because of being ashamed that people will see I haven’t been proclaiming thanks for a few weeks now. I need to get over my shame and get ‘thanking’ again!
I enjoyed the words to the hymn.
Hi Lesley! You shouldn’t beat yourself up too much as i don’t think there is a person alive who thanks God enough. Yes we can all improve as we walk down this journey of growth (sanctification) and conform into his likeness. Oh how patient and loving he is to his precious children who don’t thank him enough…I give thanks today for that fact alone! 🙏🏻
Hopefully you’ll lift the ban on your post as i’d love to read it! 😀
You’re right, Steve. He is so patient, loving and forgiving. I’ll open the page and get going with it again. It does so much good when we’re grateful. 🙂