Sabbath Thought – Thankful

Do you feel blessed to be a part of God’s church now? We came home from the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day about six weeks ago, and during those Holy Days we gathered to rejoice and rehearse the future reality of God’s blessings for all of mankind. 

It can be far too easy for us to focus on what we think is unfair, too hard, a trial, or what is generally inconvenient and forget about the benefits of living according to God’s way of life now. The problem we have is that the western culture around us is very materialistic and pleasure centered. What are you personally thankful for in your life?

It has been said that if you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear, available food to eat and some money in your pocket, then you have more than the majority of the world. Here in the U.S., we consume more resources as a percentage of population than any other country. We have more cars, electronics, clothes and food at our disposal than any other group of people! But instead of being thankful to God for the blessings we have as a nation, we bite and devour one another (Galatians 5:15) – look at our “entertainment”, our politics, how business is conducted, how people behave on the highways, and even in families. We need to make sure we don’t do this in the Church. 

We have a family to love, support, encourage and make our life richer (Ecclesiastes 4:12) – even “if” it is only our spiritual family (Matthew 19:29). Anyone who lives in the U.S. is a “1%-er” – the poorest in this country still live like kings compared to much of the rest of the world. Being thankful involves recognizing that we have something we don’t deserve, or we didn’t obtain or create by our own ability. Remember God gives us the ability to gain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18.

It is sad that this nation has drifted so far from God, but you and I have been blessed even more in that we are called by God to be a part of His family now. We must never forget to say to our Father – “Thank You Lord.” What spiritual blessings do you have in your life? Here are a few to consider: access to the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit; understanding of the plan of salvation for mankind; opportunity to be part of that first resurrection (Revelation 20:6); a future inheritance (Galatians 3:6-9, 14-16, 24-29); and we have in our walk with God others of like-mind with us – and for us (Luke 22:32).

Here is my challenge to you: At services tomorrow, ask someone to share a blessing they saw from God in their life this past year. Ask them what made that blessing special. Ask them what difference that blessing has made in their life. God truly is a loving Father, and He indeed daily loads us with benefits (Psalm 68:19). I would encourage you to read Psalm 100 this evening.

I wish you a very thankful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

22 November, 2025