I don’t have much time, so I’ll let this speak for itself.  Perhaps not directly on point at first glance, but the heart of this Pensee is all about living in the present, which is at the heart of thankfulness.  It also highlights the effect and ultimate result of a life dominated by yearning for the future rather than contentment (thankfulness) for our present circumstances.

We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and, if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.

Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so.

This is good stuff, probably the one verse I have held closest to my heart and mind as I have struggled through a past of depression, anxiety, and bitterness (I’m a pretty wretched person in the flesh).  Like I’ve said before, I tend to think spiritual “formulas” are bogus.  But, when the clear reading is a clear promise, and when it just makes this much sense…

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is a formula for true peace, and I believe it will work 100% of the time.  Now… getting to the point were we rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and IN EVERYTHING present our requests with thanksgiving, and think ONLY about what is right, pure, lovely… there’s the rub.  That’s not easy and I certainly don’t do it.  At least not always… OK, maybe only rarely do I really do it.  But when I’m in “that place”, I get real peace.  How can I not have real peace if I am rejoicing in the Lord, in thanskgiving knowing that my requests are in the hands of an omnipotent, sovereign, and loving God, with my thoughts on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy?  It’s a no-brainer.

Real peace.  I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s what I really want in this world.  I’ve spent far too much time lacking it.  And THAT’s a formula that works.  All predicated on a thankful heart in a state of praise.

Tomorrow (or perhaps Saturday if I have trouble posting remotely), Thankfulness Part V - a Pensee.

Why do I think thankfulness is so important?  Just the volume of biblical references to the concept is enough for me to think it’s pretty ciritical, but here is one specific verse (another to come tomorrow):

Ephesians 5:15-21 (NKJ)
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

By the way, I looked at three different translations and all command us to give thanks either for “all things” or “everything”, this one even adds redundancy: “always for all things”.  So, my “why” in this verse is pretty simple.  There is a clear implication that we are acting as fools if we do not give thanks for all things, and a direct statement that giving thanks for all things is a fundamental part of acting wisely.  And this is not a passage in the context of everything going good in life.  Note that it is prefaced that we must act wisely, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  And that’s the setting in which giving thanks for all things is critical.

I’ve heard people stand up and vigorously object to this verse before, i.e.: “I’m not going to give thanks for trials from the enemy…”.  Well, I guess God stands corrected.  Look, “all things” and “everything” seem pretty clear to me.  Back to my philosophy of accepting that I’m not very smart, God knows that, and He intends for clear language in His Word to mean what it says it means.  I, therefore, will not reject anything in the Word.  But rather, I will work to understand how it can all fit together - it all has to be true, we can’t cherry-pick to fit our desired interpretation regardless of what that is.

So, how do we live in God’s victory, hold fast to the great promises in His Word, and at the same time give thanks for the very things in our lives that are in contradiction to those promises?  It seems clear to me.  I have absolute faith in God’s sovereignty, and his love for me - and in His promises.  So why should I find any difficulty in standing on His promises, and at the same time giving thanks for the opportunity for Him to show Himself faithful on my behalf.  Giving thanks for the trial is not passive resignation.  On the contrary, it is evidence of absolute faith in His ultimate deliverance from that trial. 

For me, that is an expansion of the “why” in this verse.  Giving thanks for even the things we are fighting against demonstrates our faith, and is one way the words we speak line up with His promises.  “Ok, devil, you want to bring (name your trial) to me?  Fine, bring it - you will not be victorious, but you will turn and flee.  Not only am I not afraid of it (or you), I’m going to give thanks to God for that trial because it’s just one more testimony I’m going to have to His power and deliverance.”  That’s faith with teeth and confidence behind it.  The kind I think we need.  I’m not a formula guy so I’m not going to assert that giving thanks = faith = healing or anything like that.  God’s not about formulas, but He is about the attitude of our hearts, and I beleive an attitude of thankfulness leads to, enhances, and supports faith. 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Paul writes, “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Paul simply says very directly, “In everything give thanks.”  No exceptions, no excuses.  Nothing is outside those parameters, in everything give thanks.  The word enpante in the Greek means in connection with everything that occurs.  He is saying no matter what happens to you in life, be thankful.  No matter your lot, no matter what circumstance, no matter what struggle or trial, give thanks.  No matter what the situation we are to find reason to thank God.

This is just a sample (just a sample, that’s why the numbering is odd) of the results I hit in an online serach of the bible for the word “Thanks”.  Modifying the search to thanksgiving and gratitude produced similarly lengthy lists.  For today, I’ll just emphasize the breadth and volume of circumstances in which we should give thanks and leave it at that.  Hopefully this will satisfy us that we should be thankful.  More on why it’s so important later…

26. Should be offered » To God (Psalms 50:14)
27. Should be offered » To Christ (1 Timothy 1:12)
28. Should be offered » Through Christ (Romans 1:8; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15)
29. Should be offered » In the name of Christ (Ephesians 5:20)
30. Should be offered » On behalf of God’s servants (2 Corinthians 1:11)
31. Should be offered » In private worship (Daniel 6:10)
32. Should be offered » In public worship (Psalms 35:18)
33. Should be offered » In everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
34. Should be offered » Upon the completion of great undertakings (Nehemiah 12:31,40)
35. Should be offered » Before receiving food ( John 6:11; Acts 27:35)
36. Should be offered » Always (Ephesians 1:16;5:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:2)
37. Should be offered » As the remembrance of God’s holiness (Psalms 30:4;97:12)
38. Should be offered » For the goodness and mercy of God (Psalms 106:1;107:1;136:1-3)
39. Should be offered » For the gift of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15)
40. Should be offered » For Christ’s power and reign (Revelations 11:17)
41. Should be offered » For the reception and effectual working of the word of God in others (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
42. Should be offered » For deliverance from indwelling sin, through Christ (Romans 7:23-25)
43. Should be offered » For victory over death and the grave (1 Corinthians 15:57)
44. Should be offered » For wisdom and might (Daniel 2:23)
45. Should be offered » For the triumph of the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:14)
46. Should be offered » For the conversion of others (Romans 6:17)
47. Should be offered » For faith exhibited by others (Romans 1:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3)
48. Should be offered » For love exhibited by others (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
49. Should be offered » For the grace bestowed on others (1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3-5; Colossians 1:3-6)
50. Should be offered » For the zeal exhibited by others (2 Corinthians 8:16)
51. Should be offered » For the nearness of God’s presence (Psalms 75:1)
52. Should be offered » For appointment to spiritual service (1 Timothy 1:12)
53. Should be offered » For willingness to offer our property for God’s service (1 Chronicles 29:6-14)
54. Should be offered » For the supply of our bodily needs (Romans 14:6,7; 1 Timothy 4:3,4)
55. Should be offered » For all people (1 Timothy 2:1)
56. Should be offered » For all things (2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians 5:20)
57. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Eve (Genesis 4:1,25)
58. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Noah (Genesis 8:20)
59. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20)
60. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Lot (Genesis 19:19)
61. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Sarah (Genesis 21:6,7)
62. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Abraham (Genesis 12:7;13:4)
63. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Abraham’s servant (Eliezar) (Genesis 24:27,35)
64. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Isaac (Genesis 26:22)
65. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Leah (Genesis 29:32-35)
66. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Rachel (Genesis 30:6)
67. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Jacob (Genesis 31:42;35:3,7)
68. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Joseph (Genesis 41:51,52)
69. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Moses (Exodus 15:1-19)
70. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Miriam (Exodus 15:20-22)
71. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Jethro (Exodus 18:10)
72. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the people of Israel (Exodus 4:31; Numbers 21:17;31:49-54; 1 Chronicles 29:22)
73. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Deborah (Judges 5)
74. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:27,28)
75. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Samuel (1 Samuel 7:12)
76. Jesus set an example of (Matthew 11:25;26:27; John 11:41)
77. The heavenly host engage in (Revelations 4:9;7:11,12;11:16,17)
78. Commanded (Psalms 50:14)
79. Should be accompanied by intercession for others (1 Timothy 2:1; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4)
80. Should always accompany prayer (Nehemiah 11:17; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2)
81. Should always accompany praise (Psalms 92:1; Hebrews 13:15)
82. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of David (2 Samuel 6:21)
83. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:9)
84. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Hiram (2 Chronicles 2:12)
85. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of Jehoshaphat’s army (2 Chronicles 20:27,28)
86. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the Levites (Nehemiah 9:4-38)
87. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the Jews (Nehemiah 12:43)
88. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the sailors (Jonah 1:16)
89. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Of the shepherds (Luke 2:20)
90. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » The man who was paralyzed (Luke 5:25)
91. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » The demon-possessed man who was exorcized (Luke 8:39)
92. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » The woman who was bent over for eighteen years (Luke 13:13)
93. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » One of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed (Luke 17:15,16)
94. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Blind Bartimaeus (Luke 18:43; Mark 10:46-52)
95. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » The Roman centurion for his boy ( John 4:53)
96. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » The lame man healed by Peter (Acts 3:8)
97. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Before receiving food, by Jesus (Matthew 14:19; Mark 8:6,7)
98. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » Paul (Acts 27:35)
99. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » See PRAISE
100. TO GOD, INSTANCES OF » See PRAYER BEFORE RECEIVING FOOD

The answer to my question is explained below.  I think it is very usefull to look for words like “because” or “therefore” which indicate a cause and effect, and to me are indicators that my attention level needs to go up because something is just about to be explained in a cause and effect manner that is typically very useful.  Here’s what I see as the root of that diatribe in Romans 1:

21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts…

Pride certainly has a role, as does worship of earthly objects.  But the root… at the beginning of it all is in verse 21:  They did not glorify God nor gave thanks to Him.

A lack of appreciation for Him and the lack of a thankful heart leads to searching for gods in other places and starts a slide into complete Godlessness.  Thankfulness… who knew it was so important?  More to come on that topic throughout the week…

I’m going to write series of a few posts on a topic, which actually started with my post on Wednesday.  The topic will be revealed as the answer to a little quiz.  You can cheat, the answer is in Romans 1, but just for fun I’d like to see answers and guesses in the comments before you look (I’ll post the answer by the end of the weekend).

There is a litany of sinful behavior listed in Romans 1, and there is one attitude of the heart that is listed as the root cause.  The litany of behaviors follows, the question is: what is the root cause?

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

As Christians, we are children of The King.  I have heard that statement often in recent years, usually stated with broad general implications, but few specific practical applications.  I’m a big fan of practical applications, so I’ll give you mine for this (completely accurate) statement.  First, The Word is clear, we are joint heirs with Christ and thus God’s own children.  There should be no debate on that point among those of us who believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

I’ve heard the statement that we are children of the king used most commonly to assert that we are missing out on physical blessings and worldly wealth and luxuries that are our birthright.  I’m kind of a history buff, but even if you’re not, common sense will tell you that kings (and their children) throughout nearly all history (certainly in biblical times) lived without myriad luxuries that we take for granted every day in this country.  How many kings ever imagined the existence of, let alone ever tasted ice cream? (I like ice cream… a lot, so it’s in my typical hypotheticals about luxuries in case you haven’t noticed).  How many dreamed of pushing a button on a wall and adjusting the temperature of their living space to whatever they wanted?  How many had music, drama, sports, any entertainment of any genre - available at any moment they desired it?  How many had our level of medical care, running water (hot or cold) from a spigot in their home, showers, flushing toilets, ease and speed of travel, communication with loved ones away from home… the list could go on and on.  My point is that we already live with more luxuries than 99% of the kings that ever lived on this planet.  In fact, I challenge anyone to come up with a practical physical luxury kings throughout history had that we do not have.  We should not demand more.  We should be thankful for what we have.  He will do His part in providing what we need and more.

My second thought on the original assertion is that there are two stereotypes for children of kings.  Stereotypes that history proves to be reasonably accurate.  Children of kings were (are) faced with enormous privilege and enormous responsibility.  There is very little middle ground in their response to their weighty circumstances.  They either responded by living lives of selfishness, grasping gluttony, ignoring the plight of their subjects or even oppressing them for the increase of their own luxury; or they filled the role of a servant to their people, living their entire lives for the benefit of their subjects, lives of duty and honor, sacrificing even their lives for their people.  Think about it.  Are you aware of any story, fairy tale, or true historical or biblical account where a child of the king did not fill one or the other of these two roles?  I am convinced that we, as children of the king, face the same choice in our lives, and that we will fill one or the other of these two roles.  Jesus fell squarely into one of these two roles.  Which one should we aspire to?

Finally, and most importantly - this is not a message for “vows of poverty” or living a downtrodden life.  On the contrary, this is a message of true joy, hope, and thanksgiving.  The message that we are “due” more luxuries as children of The King is one that robs us of our days.  It is NOT a message of prosperity; it is a lie that robs us of the prosperity that is already ours in Christ.  Our days ARE full of blessing and luxury as we live in the greatest, wealthiest, most Godly nation (even today) that the world has ever known.  Days that should be filled by the joy of a relationship with God and the support of His Spirit.  Days of thanksgiving for the incredible, unimaginable (for most of the world’s inhabitants) physical luxuries and blessing that we already have.  As Blaise Pacal said, “as long as we are planning to be happy, it is inevitable that we shall never be so”.  Let’s live today!  The present is the only time that belongs to us, the only time in which we live.  Live it in joy, thanksgiving, and sacrifice.  That is real freedom!  That is real joy!