It’s good for us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:1), because God is good and his gift of love endures forever (1 Chr 16:43).  With joy and delight praise him with the harp (Ps 43:4).  Trust in God in whose Word we must praise (Ps 56:10).  He has performed great and awesome wonders for Israel whom he redeemed from Egypt (2 Sam 7:23).  God’s people will have plenty to eat until they are filled (Joel 2:26).  Of these things they will speak about his righteousness and praise him all day long (Ps 35:28).

With these gifts of God we glorify our Lord.  A Gospel singer and record producer Fred Hammond (b. 1960) said, “We sing inspirational songs, songs of praise and worship, and about how good and how big God is.  We are magnifying the Lord.”  God is mighty and good and we must praise him abundantly. St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), a bishop of Geneva wrote, “Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you.  Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.”  Ascending to such spiritual realms God will always be with us, and guiding us to be at peace with him.

Look to God

Whosoever we are – regardless of our station in life, we must look to the Lord.  He’s the only true source of our existence and is our precious gift.  A sportscaster Ernie Harwell (1918–2010) acknowledged, “I praise the Lord here today.  I know all my talent and all my ability comes from him, and without him I’m nothing and I thank him for his great blessing.”  It takes a wise man or woman to know this truth about our Savior.  It’s true that without God we’re nothing.

Early Roman Catholic Church father and bishop of Caesarea, St. Basil (AD 329–379) said. “As we are baptized, so we profess our belief.   As we profess our belief, so also we offer praise.  As then baptism has been given to us by the Savior, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, so, in accordance with our baptism, we make the confession of the creed, and our doxology in accordance with our creed.”  These are unique gifts when we’re buried and raised with Christ.

Friends as Gifts

Friends too, are important gifts to us all.  They can build us up and break us down.  St. Teresa of Avila (1515–1582), a prominent Roman Catholic mystic wrote, “I had many friends to help me fall; but to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder how I was not always on the ground.  I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me.  May He be blessed for ever!”  Many Christians know that only the gift of grace from a loving God would give us the assurance to stand in his presence.

God has empathy for us.  He’s always there and willing to help when our situation is desperate.  A Christian pastor and spiritual mentor Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897–1963) explained, “In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we are pleased.  He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker’s praise without anxiety.”  Knowing God is an indescribable gift, bringing joy to our hearts, and blessing our souls.  So reach out and receive the precious gifts of God.