Not Happy, but Thankful

Matt Miles • November 21, 2022

   This is the time of year we focus on thankfulness. We look forward to time spent with family, yet many of us may not be happy at the moment with the state of things: election results, health, inflation/the economy, etc. Even so, all of the problems that are causing our unhappiness should not impact our thankfulness of and to the Lord.


   Remember, if we look to the history in Genesis there was an account that gives us hope this year. During that time the entire world was in chaos and shambles. Out of the violence and wickedness comes a beacon of righteousness, Noah. As the world was doomed to irreversible judgement, Noah sought the Lord for a way to save his family (Hebrews 11:7). When given instructions by the Lord to build the ark, he faithfully accomplished the task of the atonement cover for his family and all the animals the Lord brought to him. In the midst of the evil and judgement, I can’t imagine Noah was a happy man. Not for a moment should we accept that his salvation automatically equated to happiness. Yet, the situation did not affect Noah’s thankfulness. He was a thankful man for the Lord’s cover and control. Noah was obedient, and the Lord knew Noah’s heart was a thankful one. We see this in all the clean animals (Gen. 7:2) the Lord brought to the ark.


   As the judgement of the flood came to an end, Noah and all with him left the ark. He showed his thankfulness by sacrificing some of the clean animals and birds. The Lord had made provision for Noah’s thankfulness before the flood by bringing the extra animals. He may not have been happy with the situation that he found himself in, but Noah knew why and to whom he should be thankful. This Thanksgiving, while we think there may be few things to make us happy about life, we still have much to be thankful for in our lives, similar to Noah. The Lord is more than worthy of our thanks! Blessings.

Signing the Mayflower Compact by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1899
By Ryan Cox March 19, 2026
EACH OF THESE ARTICLES ARE EXCERPTS FROM AMERICA’S EPIC ADVENTURE TM - CTF'S NEWEST VBS CURRICULUM From Lesson 1: The Pilgrims, Walking by Faith in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5-6
model train engine
By Matt Miles March 19, 2026
There are moments in life that we experience the Lord’s Providence, which is the continual guiding and caring of us for His purposes. We may go though trials and suffering now to refine our faith in preparation for eternity. Other times we may see it for the here and now, with the aligning of plans for His purpose in our life, maybe with the opening or closing of a door. Many times we see Providence only in hindsight, looking back on life and seeing His hand working, molding and inspiring us for His plans and to His glory. I can see the Lord’s Providence at many times over the course of my life. Early in my grade school years I developed a love for building models I was recently reminded, along with my father, that we built a train set together in our basement. Following that, I began to build model cars and airplanes. I now know that love of building, tinkering and problem solving was Providence preparing me for this ministry. The Lord taught me early on how to stay focused and pay attention to detail. What I thought was only a hobby at the time is now something I must use on a regular basis in things such as fossil restoration, building crates, trailer and vehicle maintenance for our mobile museum. Later in high school, while active in church, the Lord called me to serve our children’s church ministry. I began to help teach others about Jesus. It seemed insignificant at the time. I remember helping in lesson times and the puppet ministry. I even was cast as “Pastor Rufus” in one of our ongoing puppet skits. My opportunities to share Christ and be an example to those younger than I was tremendous. Again through His Providence, the Lord was guiding me and calling me to ministry. He developed in me the love of teaching His Word to others, priceless to me today. Then in college Providence brought Theresa and I together. The Lord knew exactly who I needed to be my bride for life. She is strong in my weakness and more Christ-like than anyone I know. She is the perfect helpmate and partner for me in ministry as well, which has so far been 34 years, to be exact. Many times the Lord has used her discernment to direct me through a situation that I did not see correctly. I am thankful every day for Providence that brought us together in life and eternal work. As I look back on my life, there are more Providential moments than I have space to write. Most of those times have directly guided me to this specific ministry and my call to preach and teach His Word. Looking back on life and identifying those moments of Providence from the Lord is humbling and awe-inspiring. Please take a moment to remember your own moments when Providence has been evident in your life. This ministry is about identifying Providence from the beginning. His plan from the start is us spending eternity in His presence. Our sin messed some things up, but not His plan. He always has and always will know exactly how to guide and care for us so that we bring Him the glory, now and eternally. There is not a month that goes by that we here at CTF don’t praise the Lord for His Providence through you, our supporters and sustainers. Join with me in thanks for His Providence each day, guiding as only our Creator and Savior could do. Psalms 31:3-5 Blessings.
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