Thanks for Nothing?

How disappointed we were Wednesday night, when a man told us he didn't have much to be thankful for.  But then again, maybe that describes you on this U.S. Thanksgiving Day.  Maybe you've lost a lot of money playing poker this year -- or lost something (or someone) even more valuable to you.

Yet the book of Psalms encourages us to thank God, anyway.  And it gives all sorts of reasons:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His love endures forever.... who made the great lights.... the sun to govern the day.... the moon and stars to govern the night.... to the One who remembered us in our low estate.... and freed us from our enemies.... and who gives food to every creature.... Give thanks to the God of heaven.  His lover endures forever. - Psalm 136:1, 7-9, 23-26

God provides huge things every day, if we simply take a moment to look for His hands in them.  And another huge thing is yet to come....

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.  But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him... For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death. - I Corinthians 15:22-26

With that promise of an end to death someday, the ultimate song of thanksgiving can be sung -- and if you believe in God, you can sing it even now:

But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - I Corinthians 15:57