The first of a two-part series on thanksgiving called, Choosing to Give Thanks.
It is based upon David’s response to the Lord when God redirected his dream of building a temple for God to his son heading up that construction effort. David basically had just received a “no” from God, yet he chose to respond with gratitude in 2 Samuel 7:18-29. Instead of focusing on what he couldn’t have, the king humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged that he had honestly been given more than he deserved already.
Something like this must have taken place in the heart of the North American Indian known as Squanto. Although captured by Captain George Weymouth in 1605 and taken as a slave to England, he spent 9 years learning the English language. Once again, Squanto faced disappointment after his return to America with explorer Captain John Smith, he was captured as a slave by a sly trick of Captain Tomas Hunt and taken in irons against his will to Spain. He escaped, however, and was introduced to the Christian faith by Spanish monks and would later be on board another vessel bound for his homeland in 1619. It must have broken his heart to learn that his tribe (Patuxets) had all perished from Small Pox. The Lord, however, had been sparing his life and preparing his linguistic skills for his key role as an interpreter and guide to the Pilgrims.
David’s words give us insight and inspiration in knowing how to give thanks even when life brings disappointment and hardship our way. Despite our sorrow, the Lord still has a plan. If we look back over our lives, we will discover His grace has been there all along, giving us what we have not earned nor deserved.
Grateful for His Favor, 7:18, 23-24, 28
Grateful in My Finiteness (Finitude), 7:19-20
Grateful for My Family, 7:18-19, 25-27, 29
Grateful for the Future, 7:19, 29
Grateful for His Faithfulness, 7:21-22, 25, 28-29
Grateful for His Fame, 7:22-23, 26
“there is none like You, and there is no God besides You…Your name be magnified…”
Back in 1912 a man and his wife and their nine children were so excited to emigrate to America from Scotland. They has sacrificed and saved for years to make this move to a land of endless opportunities. Unfortunately, seven days before departure, their youngest son was bitten by a dog. The physician said most likely he would be fine but that the family would have to quarantine for two weeks. Mr. Clark watched from the pier as the ship sailed away. He was disappointed, angry and even bitter. He remained that way until he learned a couple of days later that the ship they would have sailed on, the Titanic, struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic. Mr. Clark hugged his son and thanked his Lord. When we hear the Lord say “No” it may very well be that He is actually saying, “Yes!” to something far better that we cannot see from where we stand at the moment.
