Gratitude is the fundamental response of man to God. We are to be thankful in all things. God made this world and God governs this world through His providence. He is sovereign over everything that happens to you, and so you are called to give thanks. We know from Job that this includes both the evil and the good. Naked you came into the world and naked you will leave. Everything you get in between is a gift from God.
But what happens when we are not thankful? Paul tells the Colossians that every act they do and every word they say should be done in thankfulness to God. Every single one. Giving thanks is turning oneself to God with the right response, but when you do not give thanks you turn your face away from God. And this leads to every other sin imaginable. This is no small thing. You are the creature, and you are rejecting your creator.
In ungratefulness for the state in which they were created Eve took the fruit and ate. And in so doing all the blessings of God became a curse for her and for Adam. The garden full of fruit was a blessing, but now it would be a curse to them, and they were removed from it. Dwelling together in perfect unity, naked and unashamed was a blessing, and now nakedness was a curse. Work was cursed. Childbearing was cursed. The earth was cursed.
When you are ungrateful, the blessings you enjoy will be turned against you into curse. Many of you are building or remodeling houses right now. With thanksgiving that project is an amazing joy and a blessing. God has given you an opportunity to use your hands, to makes something of your own and bless your family. But as soon as you are ungrateful that same project becomes a burden upon you, that stresses you and drags you down. You begin to hate your own project.
Ungratefulness will turn everything that should be a blessing in your life into a curse. Your kids, your spouse, your friends, fellowship, food, sex, your job, your vacations, you name it.
And so, what should you do? First look down at your hands. Next look up to God and give thanks for whatever he has put in those hands.
Zach Browning – March 17, 2024
