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2008 THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
God as our provider
The world, South Africa, and we, the people of South Africa, are experiencing turbulent times, with interest rates, fuel and food prices soaring, unemployment and crime are rife, and it would seem as if chaos reigns supreme. Stress and anxiety are building up and negativity abounds. In many countries food shortages are acute and feeding programs cannot cope with the magnitude of the task to supply food to the starving multitudes.
The Word of God says that He “...lives amongst the praises of His people...” How can we praise Him if we are not thankful? Do we have reason to be thankful? Perhaps, in 2008, we can find as many reasons to be thankful to the Lord.
Are we, as believers, followers of Christ, dependent on the state of the economy or the buoyancy of the market to have, and live, life in abundance?
“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6,7
The above quotation from Scripture declares a spiritual law. One of many spiritual, God-given laws which govern our lives. Spiritual laws which we tend to conveniently disregard or neglect but mostly, I think, forget, especially in difficult times.
“Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Mal.3:10
Another spiritual law, and the only time ever in the Word where we are invited, commanded, or dared, to put God to the test.
“You shall tithe all the yield of your seed “(all the yield of every effort made towards financial gain)”...that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.” Deut. 14: 22,23
“And if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments...the Lord will command the blessing upon you in your barns, and in all that you undertake...” Deut. 28: 1,8
“You shall serve the Lord your God, and I will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” Exod. 23:25
More spiritual laws. If we then remember these spiritual laws, operating as surely as the law of gravity,or any other scientific law and obey them, until it becomes second nature to us as obeying traffic laws, then:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,” (not by unfair or corrupt ways and means) “who leads you in the way you should go”. Is. 48:17
Of course, the more we wish to receive, the more seeds we have to sow. This is a well-known natural, and spiritual, law. Although God is omnipotent, all-powerful, can create and do all things, He wishes us to give Him seed to work with, to multiply. We find examples in Scripture such as the five loaves of bread and two fish, Matt.15: 30,31 or the water He turned into wine.
“The point is this: He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. AND GOD IS ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH EVERY BLESSING IN ABUNDANCE, so that you may ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH OF EVERYTHING and may provide in abundance for every good work... He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which overflows in many thanksgivings to God. 2 Cor. 9:6-8, 10-12.
In turn, God will not only supply bread, but also seed to the sower. He will enable us to sow more to reap more... to sow more... to reap more... Do we perhaps have to look at our own sowing habits, to find out why we are experiencing financial difficulties? If a farmer does not buy or keep seed to sow, he has no chance of reaping a harvest…
Even the economy is subject to the power and will of God. We are therefore dependent on God, not the economy or the current market tendencies, to provide for us to have and live life in abundance and that, in itself, is surely reason enough to be thankful to the Lord today.
May we be inspired to live according to God's spiritual laws, to sow enough seeds that we may be able not only to fulfill our own needs, but to give in abundance for the benefit of those around us who are less blessed, so that they may see and experience the glory of God in our lives, and become a blessing to others also.
Thank you, Lord God, that we can look to You to be faithful and to confirm Your Word at all times.
Elizabeth Blaauw
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