Without This Knowledge I Could Not be Thankful

by Nan Jones

Nothing comes our way without the Father’s knowledge. Nothing.

God promises He will work everything together for our good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose. Do you believe it? Do I?

Belief in this knowledge is a piece of the puzzle to maturing in our faith.

Step upon step. Line upon line.

Growth and maturity occurs.

I believe a thankful heart is the glue that holds the different components together.

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I’m learning to thank Him in all circumstances … learning being the operative word. The more I practice this discipline, the more natural it becomes. Why?

Because thankfulness is an expression of trust — believing that the One who loves me will use even this, whatever it may be, for my good.

He has proved Himself over and over. The more I trust, the more I am aware of His intervention, His provision, His faithfulness to do that which He has promised.

The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I know Him. The more I know Him, the more I realize I can trust Him. And the more I trust Him, the more I acknowledge and appreciate His sovereignty — His authority.

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Thankfulness becomes a natural response … even when we can’t understand.

Corrie ten Boom has taught me to look for God in all circumstances and to realize deep in my knower that it is possible to be thankful in all things. Corrie is of The Hiding Place fame. Her family, devout Christians living in Holland, hid Jews during the Holocaust, were found out and subsequently sent to the death camps. Corrie lost all of her family members except for her nephew.

And still she gave thanks.

In fact, after she was liberated, Corrie spent the remainder of her life telling the world about the faithfulness of her Lord. The following is a fabulous example of having a thankful heart and the precious insight that is gained:

“Conditions in our barracks in the concentration camp at Ravensbruck were terrible. When we first arrived I told Betsie [Corrie’s sister] I could not bear the lice that lived in our filthy blankets and mattresses. She replied, ‘You must thank God for everything, even for lice.’ Betsie was right. Because of the bugs which infested our barrack, the women guards and officers kept their distance, and we were able to hold our Bible studies without fear.” ~ Each New Day by Corrie ten Boom

God works everything together for our good — especially the difficult places, the broken and desperate places.

Nothing comes our way without His knowledge.

Therefore, in everything we learn to give thanks.

Selah

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