Thanksgiving
God says that thanksgiving honors him. Why? Because when a person gives thanks to God, those who hear it, especially unbelievers and pagans, can know God. Therefore, every child of God should give thanks to God not only in church but also everywhere. Only then will the ungodly know.
When writing to God's elect --- the exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1-2) --- Peter said, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) The believers in that land were not ministers, but ordinary believers. To them Peter says, “You are a chosen people, chosen by God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, that you should declare the excellencies of God.” The excellencies of God are not only exceedingly many, but also exceedingly marvelous.
The Queen of Sheba and Solomon
“When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions. 2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. 6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.” (1 Kings 10:1-7)
Why did the queen of Sheba come to Solomon? Because she had heard of the fame of Solomon and the name of the Lord. Why did she hear? Because there were people who told her. When the queen of Sheba heard this, she went to see Solomon. If believers also spoke of the glory of God, others would also hear and be inclined to believe. When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings that he offered in the house of the Lord, she was amazed and said, “The report that I heard in my own land about your fame and your wisdom is true. However, I did not believe the report until I came and saw it myself. But now, I've heard only half of the whole story. Your wisdom and your riches exceed the fame that I heard. The queen of Sheba could make such a remark because there were people who spoke of the wisdom and wealth of King Solomon. The reason we know the queen of Sheba’s remark is because it was written in the Bible. Why do readers like you also know about it? It is because it has now been written in this article.
Why do many people today not know the glory of God? It is because believers do not talk about it. Why do believers not talk about it? Because they do not know it themselves. Why do they not know it? It is because they do not read the Bible nor ponder about it. It is simply because people put more value on the glory of this world than the glory of God. From now on, let us think about and talk about the glory of God.
Jesus and the Israelites
Jesus said about the queen of Sheba as follows: "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42). Here, Jesus was referring to the people of Israel. Why would the queen of Sheba, the ruler of the south, rise up against the people of Israel and defeat them? The queen of Sheba came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of King Solomon. But the people of Israel did not pay attention to and did not accept Christ, who was greater than Solomon. People today have never seen Christ. However, they can know him by reading what is written in the Bible. However, they do not read the Bible, and those who read do not talk about it, instead, they are more interested in the activities of people around them. Therefore, let us, as readers of this article, spread the glory of God to believers and unbelievers alike as much as possible.
Christ's Thanksgiving
"Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." (Matthew 11:20-26).
Again, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”" (Luke 10:17-22)
What was Jesus thankful for? He was thankful that God the Father did not reveal these things to the learned, the bible scholars, but to his illiterate followers he referred to as the little ones. Why is he thankful that he did not reveal them to the learned? It is because the learned people are prideful. On the other hand, the children, the illiterate disciples, could accept and believe everything the Lord said. Even today, the bible scholars do not know nor understand the deep spiritual things because those things are not revealed to the learned. Because they do not know the will and power of God, they do not serve Him. Sadly, God’s servants also do not use the power of God, but serve him through the use of the power of knowledge, money, manpower, music, and electronical capabilities. Although these ministers seem to be successful in the eyes of men, they are not successful in the eyes of God. However, because they do not know, they do not care and keep on keeping on what they've been doing.
Jesus and Lazarus
When Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he gave thanks to his Father. "So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41-42) What was Jesus thanking the Father for? He was thanking the Father for always listening to his words (prayers). We too should thank our Father who always hears our prayers.
Paul's Thanksgiving
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household." (Acts 16:25-34)
Paul and Silas were beaten during the day and thrown into prison. At midnight they sang praises to God. That was something ordinary believers would never do. Not only were they beaten for the Lord's sake, but what did they praise God for when they were bound and imprisoned? Paul wrote to the Philippian church, " For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." (Philippians 1:29)
Why did Paul say that suffering for Christ's sake is the grace of God? He said it because it shows the love and devotion to Christ. Anyone can and wants to suffer for the sake of their loved ones. If you are willing to suffer for Christ, it shows that you love him. No one wants to suffer for an enemy they don’t love or appreciate. Do you want to suffer for the Lord Jesus?
About the Church in Ephesus
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:15-16)
Paul gave thanks to God because he saw the faith of the Ephesians in Jesus, and their love for other believers. I myself have run across and experienced that feeling too. When nominal Christians and Gentiles are saved and become believers through the testimony and teaching of missionaries and teachers, I always want to give thanks. Only those who do testifying and witnessing can know, understand, and experience the feeling. No matter how much one reads and understands the Bible, if he does not go out and win the lost souls by witnessing and sharing, he cannot experience the feelings. The Ephesians were Paul's spiritual children. Therefore, as their spiritual father, he could thank God for their faith and love for others. Therefore, those who do not love nor care, and do not catch the lost souls cannot understand the essence, ie. the heart, of the scriptures.
