Beloved,
The first recorded words out of the first human ever when Yahweh created Eve from his rib were words of thanks. Adam’s surprised joy must have caused quite a stir in the heavens!
The Biblical record reveals:
The man (Adam) said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Adam took great delight in God’s handiwork that cured his loneliness and his great need for a help meet. She was to be an equal and joint heir with him in the kingdom that God had planned from before the foundation of the earth.
The verse above describes no apparent emotion, but I imagine Adam had a great time shouting out his thanks and enthusiasm in the form of praise back to His Creator friend! Why shouting? Well, in a bit will see another group that cries out.
Adam proclaimed her “woman” or ishshah, and is rendered 674 times in the OT as wife, woman, and female. It comes from the prime word ish, or man, and is rendered almost 1800 times into many English words.
At the end of God’s written record, again we see a bold clue into the heart of God:
Rev. 7:9-12
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
There it is again: thankfulness. The great multitude from all ages is “crying out” this doxology.
From Genesis to maps this anthem rings out loud and clear to the universe. God desires, commands, and is worthy of all thanks.
He craves it.
He loves it.
It’s His world, His glory, His honor, His wisdom, His power, His might. And He gladly shares His invaluable kingdom with human beings. Amazing. Just amazing.
Being created in His image just affords a natural opportunity to give back in thanksgiving.
Incidentally, the white robed saints are described later in that chapter as the martyrs of the great tribulation. Those days are just ahead of us we believe. And we very well may be those people. Pray for more grace, dear ones…we’re going to need it.
When I was an unsaved boy and even at times today, I know some friends who meet in a high church setting, like the Episcopal denominations. They would describe their “Lord’s Supper” as the ‘Eucharist.’ However, any technical usage of that noun is foreign to the New Testament life.
The Lord’s Supper is a full meal in homes like the Acts gatherings, and the love feast as Jude describes it.
But the reason for this illustration is lost until we understand a bit about the Greek words making up this word group. Let’s explore a little.
The word “euchaistia,” the noun of the word group, means thankfulness, gratitude, thanksgiving, prayer of thanksgiving, etc. But look now at the two parts of the word: the suffix “eu” means good, well, kind. It’s added to “charistia” which means to give freely, to bestow a favor, to gratify.
Look familiar?!
Yes, it should. It’s part of another word group where we get “charis” or “charismatic.” And this is the primary underlying word for “grace!” A favor.
Wow.
And, as if that’s not enough, the other close word to “charis” is “chairo” which usually means to rejoice, be glad, welcome, greetings, etc. Like ‘rejoice in the Lord!’
In other words, when we put this all together, thankfulness is good grace, kind favor, free wellness.
In the Complete Biblical Library, the authors write that as early as the 3rd century BC, this word had the basic meaning of showing someone a favor. And because a favor deserves an obligation of thanks (especially in the honor-shame culture of the Mid-East), the word developed the meaning of being thankful, or hence to give thanks, or “return” thanks. Not a work of drudgery, but a cultural requirement that expresses your heart’s gratitude with the one bestowing the “grace” on us first.
We’ve spoken before of the Patron (God) and Client (us) relationship and how that has broken down in the Western culture that has the demonic fierce independent spirit. And Jesus is our broker in this Patron-Client relationship.
Personally, I’ve had many spells in my walk with God where I’ve been ungrateful and complaining, just like the ancient Israelites. As a prophet, teacher, exhorter, evangelist church planter, my job is to work with the troops and get it right.
This is the way I can love God and prove it to Him…and me.
Our Christian culture if you happen to live in America as I do is arguably one of the toughest places to live these days in walking worthy and living holy. It’s so screwed up and worldly, that it’s really, really, really tough living out a life that’s primarily damage control vs. the heart of God in great victory daily in unity.
But the great tribulation will change all that soon, I’m certain.
But my sin in this area has been inexcusable over the years, and has grieved my heart and others, especially my dear wife. In the last few years, I regretfully have episodes of relapse, but the overall walk is now much more in the “rejoice in the Lord” category instead of concentrating on the glass being 80% empty. Even if the glass is 80% empty. Which it is now.
Thanksgiving and prayer are closing related. Ungratefulness to God is basis for condemnation.
One of the best ways to glorify God is being thankful!
What 5 new things can we each thank God every day over the next week? Will you join me in this spiritual discipline and delight that thrills the heart of our Savior God? Or if you’re already doing this faithfully, do it a bit more?!
Thanks for our brethren in Christ!
Thanks for the internet to reach out to each other!
Thanks for new hearts where we can go and sin no more!
Thanks for our Father and His wisdom in creating the kingdom of God!
Thanks for our dear friend Jesus who makes it all possible for us to rule with Him!
Amazing.
Next time we speak of this subject, we’ll mine the gold of thankfulness in the Scriptures. Get ready for a ride like few others! What a joy He is….
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org
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