Dev: 11/23-24 - Romans 1:21

Because they knew God,

they glorified him as God

and they gave THANKS to him,

and their minds were enriched and

their wise hearts were lightened.

Romans 1:21

(kind of)

Have you heard that verse before? (Kind of, perhaps.)

As I searched for a verse to link thanksgiving (our obvious national theme for today) and hope (our devotional theme for this season) I came across this verse. 

Its principle is simple: as we get to know God and grow in giving thanks to him, our minds are enriched and our hearts are lightened. 

In other words, as we get to know God and give thanks to him, what grows is blessings, hope, and joy. 

 

To say it even more simply, if you want more hope, give more thanks!

 

Wait! How'd I get this from this verse, let me explain ...

Thanksgiving is the key that unlocks more and more blessings from God. He is a joyful giver. He wants to bless us. But many of us choose to look at the glass half empty. He wants to bless us, but many of us are ungrateful stewards of what have … so why should or would he give us more.

 

How many of us whine? And covet? And demand more … rather than saying thanks for what we have? 

 

Today’s verse reminds us that when we learn to "give thanks in all circumstances" ^{1 Thes 5:18}, we start to see God in all circumstances.

 

Obviously God is there in blessed times – often helping to orchestrate the blessing itself!

 

But do you look for God also in the trials and calamities? He’s there too! He’s comforting us. Encouraging us. Sometimes challenging us. He’s weeping alongside us. He’s also and often carrying us. And when we learn to "give thanks in all circumstances," we indeed start to see God in all circumstances. 

Indeed, that's when true hope truly begins to break into our lives. 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who re-wrote today's

Thanksgiving verse in a

bright and hopeful way.

But here's the original ...

 

For although they knew God,

they neither glorified him as God

nor gave thanks to him,

but their thinking became futile

and their foolish hearts

were darkened.

Romans 1:21

That’s isn’t as joyful,

but if it's true,

then the converse is true.

1) Re-read my bright re-translation,

2) give more thanks, and 3) have

a wonderful and safe holiday!