Listen to the challenges of a man – In Lamentations. 3: 1-3, Jeremiah laments – I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath… Surely He has turned His hand against me.
He continues in verses 14 – 18 – I have become the ridicule of all my people—He has filled me with bitterness…I have forgotten prosperity. And I said, “My strength and my hope have perished from the Lord.”
Jeremiah laments seriously when he focused on his challenges…
But hear him when he allowed a shift in his thinking in vs. 21 – 25…Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion, therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
I trust that we all will know that we ought to be grateful to God no matter what. I don’t quite like the idea of been reminded to give thanks to God, I think it should come naturally.
There are people who believe God has not done anything for them. He has not answered most of their prayers. They forget that life itself is a miracle.
There are those who are too used to God’s mercies. Being alive, good health, shelter, water, ability to breathe in and out… and all such LITTLE miracles don’t look special to them.
Some Are Just Ungrateful these ones believe God is obligated to them. He has only done what He is supposed to do and to some He has not done enough. They have forgotten that everything we enjoy today, is a result of God’s goodness and mercy.
There is so much to be thankful for; chief for believers is the fact that they have been forgiven, saved from death and hell.
Many others refuse to give thanks to God, because they are mad at God. Maybe for what He allowed to happen. Where was He when this or that happened to us?” they ask. They do not remember that God is not the author of evil, and if He permits anything to happen, He knows best. They forget that He has their best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29: 11; 31: 3.
The enemy is a trickster and would naturally show us our unfulfilled desires and unanswered prayers in order to stop us from giving thanks. He has not forgotten what thanks and praise did for Paul and Silas etc.
If we would take the time to think a little and change our perspective, remove our eyes from what we have not to what we have, think on the mercies and goodness of God, we will discover countless reasons to be thankful to God.
I pray that we begin to prepare for a bountiful praise and thanksgiving at our harvest this year in Jesus name.
God bless us all, and may this be our greatest harvest ever.
Your Vicar and Friend,
The Rev. Canon Kiri Wakama
