We’ve had our first ‘cold snap’ of the fall – I almost needed to put on a coat this morning! This is a reminder that it’s Thanksgiving season (as a turkey-lover, it’s one of my favorite times of year), and as such, it’s a time to give thanks. As the psalmist reminds us (Psalm 92.1-2),

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, 

to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

to declare Your steadfast love in the morning,

and Your faithfulness by night…

While there are always reasons to despair in our world, and the prevalence of evil is a constant reminder of the presence of the ‘god of this world’ (2 Cor. 4.4), we who know the Savior have an unending source of hope and joy. A light has shown in our darkness (Isa. 9.2)! We truly have an endless number of reasons to give thanks.

We can – and should – give thanks for our common blessings: The essence of life, air to breathe, food (1 Tim. 4.4), water. Add to this the joys of life: Tastes and smells, beauty, friendships, love, feeling the sun, seeing the moon and stars. Other blessings – unknown to many in the world, abound: Freedom of religion, opportunity, wealth, the comforts of life.

It was for all these things that the biblical writer asked rhetorically, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). The answer? Nothing! Everything we have – including our talents, abilities, and knowledge – ultimately comes from God. We didn’t ‘birth’ ourselves! We brought nothing with us. Yes, we have much to give thanks for.

But I was reminded recently of things far greater we have to be thankful for: Everything that is ours by God’s grace in the spiritual realm! We must start with Jesus Christ coming to earth, the God-man, to give His life for us. But that’s only the beginning! Then there’s His resurrection, guaranteeing our eternal life, and His going to prepare a place for us, and promising to come again (Jn. 14.2-3)! After He left, the Spirit was given to us, and is in us, guiding, guarding, and drawing us to God. That Spirit guided the writers of Scripture to record God’s saving message for helpless sinners and truths for abundant life. And then we have the blessed hope (Titus 2.13), and the wonders of the world to come (Rev. 21-22)! It was for this myriad of blessings that Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9.15)

This Thanksgiving, as you sit to eat, pause to give thanks. As you do, you’ll probably give thanks for family, friends, provisions, and other joys of life. But don’t stop there. Our greatest thanks should be for blessings in the spiritual realm. They are grounded in faith, and nurtured in hope. My father wrote a song my family likes to sing at reunions; its lyrics highlight the wonder of these deeper spiritual blessings:

They say He is wonderful, They say He is wonderful;

The sun, and the moon, and the stars above, I’ll say He is wonderful!

I know He is wonderful, I know He is wonderful;

He saves, and He keeps, and He satisfies, I know He is wonderful!