How to Know You Are Not Thankful
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 106:1
For this posting, you may want to open your Bible to Psalm 106 to follow along in the text.
“A man writing at a post-office desk was approached by an elderly fellow who asked, “Sir, could I get you to address this postcard for me?”
The man did so gladly, and then agreed to another request, which was to write a message on the card, and to sign it. He then asked, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
The old fellow thought a moment, then said, “Yes. Add this at the end: ‘P.S. Please excuse the handwriting.”
All of us should be challenged with the idea of thankfulness. You can Become a thankful person today. Early Israel is our example to learn from in Psalm 106.
Eight marks of thanklessness to the Lord include:
- Forgetting the Mercy of God. 1-7
- Lusting for More Stuff. 8-15
- Envying Others’ Power. 16-23
- Murmuring Behind Closed Doors. 25-26.
- Making Idle Inventions. 28-29, 39
Please note that Inventions = deeds. We can be very creative at evil action. Our imagination can be dangerous. Imagination = “Framing of the Mind.” When we think of it – then our actions will follow: See how these verses inform this truth: Genesis 6:5, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And in Psalm 81:12, So I gave them up unto their own hearts (“Imagination”) lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
Too Much Time on Our Hands could be the result of blessing or even the result of hard work. When we abuse the time with evil, it is the product of an un-thankful heart.
“Idle Hands are the devils workshop.” It is a true idea rooted in Bible truth. Voids of good activity are always filled with evil activity. Fill your day with good actions. Fill your heart with Bible Intention. Stage the platform of your life so that free time is used for good, not evil.
- It could be that being with other people prevents sin.
- It may be that reading the Bible prevents sin.
- It is possible that having routines and expectations could prevent sin.
- It is true that being thankful, daily, could prevent sin. “An Attitude of Gratitude” goes a long way.
- Idle inactivity often leads to idol activity!
- Provoking Anger in Others. 29, 40, 32-33
- Mixing Up Relationships. 34-36
- Disregarding Human Life. 37-39
Check your life against this list of eight marks of thanklessness. How did you do? You could get this right with God right now and have a fresh perspective on life.
WHAT should I DO about Un-thankfulness? Good question. Here are 3 helps:
- Stand for Right. 30-31
- Think Right. Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind (“Imagination” in Hebrew) is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
- Do Right. Phinehas was thinking right and therefore he did right. As a result we know him even today as being a righteous man. He was thankful to God so he was willing to stand for God and right.
- Seek Mercy. 44-46. May the Lord not give us what we really deserve. Remind yourself of His mercies each morning to help with your days perspectives.
- Say “Thank You.” 47-48. In prayer – be purposefully thankful to God.
May the Lord help us to be a thankful people. Not only in November – but in each day that He gives to us. Be encouraged and challenged to live thankfully each day.
You can Become a thankful person today.
EDC Christian 