Day 328 Gratitude

 

11/24/2025 

 "I have learned to be content whatever

the circumstances."

Philippians 4:11 

 

The past few days have been an unending assembly of things that went wrong and needed fixing. I must say that "when it rains, it pours," about sums up the way I was feeling. Last week I was considering replacing the windows in this old, somewhat dilapidated house, until I found out how much they cost! So then I thought perhaps I'd begin with a few at a time, so I was going to opt for four. The decision of how to pay for the project was making me so ill, that I had to put it on the back burner of my mind to simmer for a while until at least I had time to pray about it. I try to be very intentional about how I spend money, because it's not mine, but God's really, and we are called to be good stewards. Before I had time to mull over the possibilities, however, I was presented with a somewhat larger project requiring attention - my roof needed repair, and there is possible water damage. I think a new roof takes precedence over a set of windows. By this time the weekend was here, so I had to wait to get in touch with a roofer, who was recommended highly by my sister. Sunday rolled around, and I wasn't feeling well again, so I was unable to attend church locally, but my son, who had gone to the gas station before church, told me that the function panel on the dash was not working. It had to be reset the day before after it had not returned to the proper setting after alerting him of low air pressure in the tires, so my son planned to visit the mechanic Monday. Monday came, and the car was functioning just fine again. I thanked God for giving me a miracle. The excitement was short-lived, nonetheless, as the toilet decided to overflow at a most inopportune moment. Fortunately, I was quick to keep the water from seeping downstairs into the basement, except for a small amount. I couldn't believe the series of events happening, so I did what I do best - I laughed. What else could I do? I told the devil that if that was the best he could do, it wouldn't work, so I laughed a bit more as I cleaned up the water and scrubbed the floor with Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap. Great stuff for almost everything!

So, you may be asking yourself, what does all that have to do with Gratitude and the character of God, as we are continuing on our overview of the CBN devotional "9 Days of Gratitude and Thankfulness?" 

Let's consider what Max Lucado shares from his book Six Hours One Friday:

"Gratitude. More aware of what you have than what you don't. Recognizing the treasure in the simple - a child's hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset. Relishing in the comfort of the common - a warm bed, a hot meal, a clean shirt."  

And, I might add, a toilet that flushes every time! Things that work electronically, no leaks, and no drafty windows. But in truth, I am grateful to have a roof over my head whether it leaks or not, whether the windows don't hold in the heat as well, and I have a plunger! While I am looking at things through my eyes, living in a country that is not at war with anyone, and I don't have to have a bomb shelter in my home or close by, there are many reasons to be thankful for all the blessings. Or, consider living in far away places like the remote jungle villages of Nigeria or Mozambique or the Congo where homes and churches are pillaged and burned down, villagers are murdered, raped, kidnapped or sent to refugee camps for safety. Americans and Europeans have so many blessings, and we are spoiled, and we are teaching our children the wrong lessons, but that's a discussion for another day.

For today, we are looking at another characteristic of God - God is Loving. It brings to memory Billy Graham's crusades that always began with "God loves you!" His message was always simple and straight forward, providing the most obvious characteristic of all that God is love. The most memorized Scripture verse is found in the book of John in verses 16 and 17: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

In John's first epistle in verses 7-11 we read:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we night live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

The Apostle Paul further persuades us with his words in Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  All throughout the Scriptures God makes His love clear beginning with the Old Testament for His chosen people, the Jews, and continuing into the New Testament for Jews and Gentiles, all who believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation comes to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles, who include everyone other than the Jewish people who have received Christ as Savior. In Romans, chapters 9 - 11 this truth is further explained that believers in Christ received a part in the inheritance as a son and daughter of Abraham. We have been grafted into the olive tree, and our role is to provoke the unbelieving Jews to jealousy so that they will accept Jesus Christ as Messiah and understand the full counsel of God's word from the beginning of time. So exciting to be part of that plan!

The devotional includes the thought that there are many who look at God as cruel and unloving, because so many bad things are happening here on earth, especially the things that happen to innocent children. They fail to realize that when we go back to Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by talking to the enemy pictured as a serpent, sin came into the world destroying the perfect world God had created. He gave them a choice from the beginning, and they listened to the devil rather than trusting a God of love, a God who walked with them in the evening. But God gave them another chance, and another after that, and so many times God has had mercy on His people. If you doubt His love, become a student of the Bible and read through the Old Testament. Because sin entered the world, everyone born passes on the inherent pattern. But by drawing close to Him, our lives can become transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."

 “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them” (1John 4:16).

Have there ever been a time when you doubted God's love for you? Or perhaps, you've listened to someone else who persuaded you that the Bible is just one big lie. What Scriptures do you remember that proves that God has the best plan for your life? How can you share your understanding of God's faithfulness with someone who is struggling? Do you believe that God is love?