O for a thankful heart!

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

"Be thankful!" Colossians 3:15

What tremendous cause we have to be thankful--what marvelous reasons we have to be grateful!

We are surrounded by mercies, both temporal and spiritual. If we look back, we ought to rejoice that . . .
  God has chosen us in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world;
  He sent His only-begotten Son into the world, to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins;
  He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts, to convince us of sin, lead us to Jesus, and make us fit for Heaven!

We have . . .
  His Word in our hands,
  His grace in our hearts,
  His mercies in our houses,
  His Heaven before our eyes!

O for a thankful heart!

Let us take our poor, hard, ungrateful hearts to Jesus--He can soften them and fill them with gratitude!

Let us confess our ingratitude before Him, and mourn over our unthankfulness at His feet.

O Jesus, grant us a deep sense of our utter unworthiness, and of Your unmerited goodness--that our souls may daily praise You with joyful lips! May we live . . .
  as thankful dependents on Your gracious bounty;
  as grateful, loving children, before our Father and our God
--and daily be thankful.

Through all eternity, to You,
A joyful song I'll raise;
But O eternity's too short,
To utter all Your praise!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

We have published J.R. Miller's very insightful two-page short article, "The Thanksgiving Habit!"

To God the only wise,
Our Savior and our King,
Let all the saints below the skies
Their humble praises bring!

'Tis His almighty love,
His counsel and His care,
Preserves us safe from sin and death,
And every hurtful snare

He will present our souls
Unblemished and complete
Before the glory of His face,
With joys divinely great!

Then all the chosen seed
Shall meet around His throne;
Shall bless the conduct of His grace,
And make His wonders known!

To our Redeemer, God,
Wisdom and power belongs;
Immortal crowns of majesty,
And everlasting songs!
  Isaac Watts, 1674-1748