“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
What are we thankful for? Typically, we are thankful for those things we recognize as good in our life. If we are believers we thank God for His hand in giving these things to us. But our lives are more than the collection of good things we have. As Jesus said: “… For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
Above all, those who love God and are the called according to His purpose can and should be thankful for ALL things that work together for this ONE good: our conformity to the image of Christ. No event in our life, no matter how it appears – good or bad, is purposeless. Nothing that happens to us, no matter how painful, cannot be redeemed and turned into an opportunity to glorify God.
This then is the saints’ chief cause for thanksgiving: that the Grand Architect of the Universe is the Maestro of their lives, taking all that happens to them, and mixing it all together to create a breathtaking song of praise to His own Name.
Whether today is a good or bad day for you, it is the day the Lord has made. He wants you to rejoice because you can glorify Him in it. Recognize each individual day, with its share of joy and sorrow, as part of your story and song, to praise your Savior all your life long.
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20)