It Is Good to Be Thankful: Appreciation makes the world a better place…
The first time I went to LA in the 60s for a short visit, the smog was so bad I could not see the mountains. People said, “Oh yes, there are mountains there!” I didn’t believe them. I mean, I really, really, really didn’t believe they were there. But one day it cleared up and I was amazed when I saw the mountains.
This is when I learned a valuable lesson. Just because we can’t see or feel something doesn’t mean it’s not there. Even though there may be times we can’t feel God’s presence, that doesn’t mean He’s not there helping, guiding, and protecting us.
Some think that in order to accept something, we need to see it with our own eyes. Only then will they believe. However, with spiritual principles sometimes we need to believe, then our eyes are opened so we can see.
There is much we can’t physically see but need to believe in. Moses understood this. He forsook Egypt, enduring the wrath of the Pharaoh because he saw God who is invisible. In other words, he knew God was there. Just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Elisha knew this. When the nation of Aram was ready to attack, Elisha’s servant could plainly see they were surrounded by Aram’s horses and chariots. He thought it was just him and Elisha against the world, so he ran to Elisha saying, “What are we going to do?” Elisha said, “Do not fear. Those that are with us are more than those who surround us.” Then Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant—the servant could then see that the mountains were full of God’s horses, an army of angels, and chariots of fire. (2 Kings 6:16-17)
We as Christians cannot afford to just rely on what we can see. That’s what the children of Israel did. They were primarily influenced by what they could see instead of trusting in the invisible, eternal God. They lived an up and down existence because their faith was dependent on their circumstances. When God delivered them, they believed. When discomfort came, they didn’t believe. (Psalm 106:12-15)
Christians who are preoccupied with external influences are destined to live an inconsistent life. Up one day, down the next. If the sun is shining, they’re happy. If it’s raining, they are sad. They are unable to see God in everything. They can’t see God behind the smog of circumstances. Just because we can’t see the mountains doesn’t mean they aren’t there. I’m so thankful God is always there.
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“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...” ~ Psalms 92:1 (KJV)
