Not Happy, but Thankful
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.
