Gratitude

Being ungrateful is a SIN.  A heart that is not thankful is a terrible thing. It is a heart that continues to demand and is blind to what has been given and continues to be given. How many of us wake up every morning and thank God for allowing us to see this day?
It was because of grumbling that the children of Israel spent 40 years in the desert. Paul says one of the lowest acts of a human being is when one is not grateful.
However, as Christians we called to give thanks always in season and out of season, during good times and bad times. We are called to be like Job who gave thanks even when he was sitting on ashes.
King David was called by God a man after my own heart. He was grateful. In 2 Samuel 7 we meet David at place of being grateful. He has it all. And wants to build a temple for the Lord as sign of his gratitude. However, God refuses but instead God says I will build you a house that will last for ever and its kingdom will have no end.  When we are, grateful God does far much more than we can imagine.
We can only be thankful if we focus on the Lordship of God. All that we have comes from God. Be it spiritual or material and even the very breath we inhale and exhale is given by God.
When we are grateful we are submissive To God. God said No to David but he was not hurt by God but was submissive to the voice of God. (2 Samuel 7)
A grateful heart is over whelmed by the grace of God. God says to No to David but offers him something much greater than he had thought.  (2 Samuel 7)
Finally, a truly  thankful heart is the one that focuses on God and God’s purpose.
So today let us give thanks to God for what he has bestowed on us. May God in his sovereignty continue to Bless us. Always approach the throne of God with thankfulness.
Give thanks  to God for a beating strong heart that says there is life, we are alive. May we all remain grateful for all his mercies that he given us and may we be ready and open to new ministries and adventures just as David was, even when he had it all. He was still waiting upon God. That is what a grateful heart does.
 
Fr. Barnabas Nqindi
Rector of St Barnabas 
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