Thank You, God, For Everything!

Matthew Henry was a well-known, British Bible scholar and Preacher who lived from 1662 to 1714.  His commentaries on the Old and New Testament are still in print today.

One day Dr. Henry was riding his horse on the way to a church meeting where he was the guest speaker.  As he journeyed through the dense forest a masked bandit suddenly appeared with a gun.  He demanded that Henry dismount and hand over all of his money.  Fearing for his life, he quickly complied as the robber returned into the woods.

As he continued his journey, now penniless, he thought about God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances.” How do you give thanks when you’re robbed?  As he reflected, the answer came to him.  That night Matthew Henry concluded his message by telling the story of what happened and how he could be thankful.

“First,” he said, “I am thankful I have never been robbed before. Second, I am thankful he took my money and not my life. Third, I am thankful he did not take more; he could have taken my horse and my clothes as well. Next, I am thankful that what I had stolen from me really did not amount to very much. Then I am grateful that what I lost, in time, could be replaced. But, finally, and most importantly, I am thankful that I was the one robbed and not the robber!”

We have so much for which to be thankful, if we will just think about it and look for it.  Even in adversity, there is something good in which we find a blessing.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  Count your blessings.  “In everything give thanks.”  And give God the glory.

Norma Jean and I are taking a little vacation time to be with our family.  And I’m taking a break from blogging for the rest of the week!  We wish for you and yours a wonderful time.  And pray God’s richest blessings on you.

Here’s a little “Thanksgiving bonus” by an unknown author entitled “Thank You, God, for a Hundred Things.”  See how many things you can name and say, “Thank You God!”

Thank you, God, for a hundred things —
For the flower that blooms, for the bird that sings,
For the sun that shines, And the rain that drops,
For ice cream and raisins and lollipops.

Thank you, God, for the gift of time —
For the clocks that tick, and the bells that chime,
For days gone by, And future cheers,
And seasons, and moments, for hours and years.

Thanks for the people who give life pizzazz —
For folks who play sports, those who act and play jazz,
For friends and for families, For folks of all races,
For hands that give help and for bright smiling faces.

Thanks for the planet you give as our home —
For the sky with its clouds, for the oceans’ white foam,
For the creatures and critters, The lakes, falls and fountains,
For hills and for valleys, for canyons and mountains.

Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son —
For the love Jesus shared, for the battle He won
Over death, for the promise That He would be near
To lead and to guide and to hold us so dear.

Thank you, God, for a hundred things —
For autumn and pumpkins, for dragonfly wings,
For Thanksgiving dinners, For sea sides and shore,

For a hundred things, and a thousand things more!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman