Reading: Romans 11:33–36
Every day there is a reason to thank God. The British poet George Herbert (1593–1633) captures that spirit in his poem Gratefulness, where he urges his readers: “You who have given me so many things, give me one more: a grateful heart.”
This well-known poet understood that what he needed in order to be thankful was simply an awareness of all the blessings God had already given him.
In Romans 11:36, the apostle Paul reminds us that our Lord Jesus is the source of every blessing: “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things” includes everything—from the most complex to the simplest, from a human perspective. Everything we have received comes from our Heavenly Father (James 1:17), because of His undeserved love toward us.
Being aware of God’s blessings helps us have a heart that understands who the true source of all our joy really is—especially the blessings we often take for granted. For example: the air we breathe, the warm greeting of the morning sun each day, laughing around a table with friends, watching our family grow, the gentle scent of earth freshly soaked by rain, or the embrace of a loved one.
Truly, there are “so many things” God has already given us that a whole lifetime would not be enough to thank Him for His infinite love.
- Being aware of the Lord’s blessings helps us have grateful hearts.
- Today, tell God: “Thank You, Lord, for …” and name everything you are grateful for.
HG/MD
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18-KJV).
