November 24, 2022 -- Isaiah 12:1 -- Thanksgiving to God our Father now and always

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You will say in that day:
   “I will give thanks to You, O LORD,
    for though You were angry with me,
       Your anger has turned away,
       that You might comfort me.”
Isaiah 12:1 ESV

Thankful hearts. That is the character trait in focus for today. God the Holy One is right in judging people wicked and perfectly just in condemning all people to an eternity in hell. The violations of His goodness, love, holiness and mercy are heaped higher every day and this is reason enough for His wrath to fall. Yet He has shown mercy in Jesus Christ. 'That day' is the summary expression of Jesus’ righteous life, death on the cross, burial and ascension to heaven. The sins of the guilty were punished on the Person of Jesus at the cross and His righteous life was credited to all who believe. God has not only averted eternal punishment, but He has also comforted His people. Yes, thank Him!

Discontentment, or ingratitude, is the negative character trait which can infect believers. It is a sign the heart has wandered far from God and should be a loud-sounding alarm warning the believer to check his attitude and purify his heart. Discontentment is neglecting to express thanks to God for all His blessings. Discontentment is rehearsing all the wrongs you believe have been acted out against you, real or imagined. Ingratitude is forgetting that believers and unbelievers alike will suffer in this world, such that one complains about everything. Suffering is part of life in a fallen world.

Yes, today is Thanksgiving Day for our cousins in the United States of America (November 24, 2022). Surely the LORD our God has poured out great blessings on the lands of North America. It is a great reminder for all believers to give thanks to God and to set the tone of having thankful hearts every day of the year. Thankfulness dispels the gloom of the heart. Thankfulness tunes the heart so that it is ready to sing praises to God. Thankfulness flows from the lips and the life of the believer who knows he is in the grip of the Father’s great grace.

O MY GOD,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee
in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.
Increase my love,
O my God, through time and eternity.
"Praise and Thanksgiving" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Page 26

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Now Thank We All Our God hymn Westminster Abby

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