Giving thanks

It's Sunday night and I am in a reflective mood. We had a good day at our Church. I got up this morning thanking God – it’s the Lord’s Day. I thank God there is freedom of worship in our land. I thank God for The Salvation Army. I've been in the Army 72 years (minus the three and half years when Singapore was occupied by the Japanese.)

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5: 18. It is God’s plan, His will for us to give thanks to him. So I sang,“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessing, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Thanksgiving is a daily discipline.

Many people seem to think that happiness is determined by our circumstances. Really our happiness is determined by our attitude. In reality it is in how we see things. Paul wrote these words from prison, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say it rejoice." (Philippians 4:4). Paul was in prison when he made that statement.

Being a grateful person will also enhance our relationships. There is the tendency to take our friends and loved ones for granted. We benefit from them, but we don’t thank them. Do we remember to say ‘thank you’ for that birthday gift for example? I am saddened to think that many people I know don’t bother to say thank you for gifts received or for help given them. Really there is no excuse. It’s so easy to make a phone call, send an e-mail or sms.

This morning, in our Bible class, we studied Joshua 8. Joshua's victory at Ai. They had learned their lesson in their defeat as shown in the previous chapter. Though the primary cause of their defeat was Achan's sin, the secondary cause was underestimating the enemy, overestimating themselves and presuming on the Lord. But failure need not be final. We need to refocus on God and He will give us the victory.

Thank God for the privilege of conducting the Adult Bible class. I thank God for the support given by those who attend regularly. They have been my inspiration and encouragement. Thanks be to God for these good folk.