Thankfulness for Family!

To me, the word “family” has a real sweetness to it. Time spent in fellowship and worship with the family of God is special. That’s the way God wants it to be. And though we are to be good to all, this is to be especially so within the household of God ( Galatians 6:10) because of the special association with Him.

Today I am looking forward to spending some special time with my parents, my two brothers, our children and grandchildren, and other relatives. The time spent together is going to be very precious. Today -- a very precious gift from God -- will be a great day of THANKSGIVING because of the special loving relationship we share as a family by blood, but also because we are all members of God’s family. And though we may not know how many “Thanksgivings” we might share together in this realm, we know that our sharing in THANKSGIVING will go on because of the eternal hope that is ours.

David wrote…
“(8) But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (9) I WILL THANK YOU FOREVER, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.” ( Psalm 52:8-9 ESV)

David knew he belonged to the house of God forever. Because of this there would truly be no end to the THANKSGIVING he would offer.

As David focused on the great help God had provided him, he said,
“(11) You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, (12) that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU FOREVER!” ( Psalm 30:11-12 ESV)

Though this life may provide us with some times of grief, because of our relationship with God we can be assured that our mourning will pass, being replaced by THANKSGIVING which will go on FOREVER.

As the psalmist Asaph focused on belonging to God, he also noted such THANKSGIVING when he stated…
“But WE YOUR PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF YOUR PASTURE, WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU FOREVER; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”
( Psalm 79:13 ESV)

Regardless of what may happen tomorrow either with ourselves or those we love, as members of God’s family today will not be the last THANKSGIVING we will share. May we continue to be encouraged in view of the fact our praise and THANKSGIVING will go well beyond this time and place and on into and through the eternity God has prepared for those who belong to Him now.

Have a great day LIVING FOREVER THANKFUL!
Carl

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