(Image from Snapshots of Joy)
The sentiment on the lovely graphic is taken from Matthew 10:8b, “. . . Freely ye have received, freely give.” The verse of course speaks of God’s graciousness to us, in freely giving us what we need in order to be right with Him. I have always taken the “freely give” exhortation to mean that we, in turn, are to be large-hearted towards others, and should contribute cheerfully to their total well-being.
What I’m thinking about just now in relation to “freely give” is remembering to express gratitude to the Lord Who gives us all good gifts:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them . . . Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.” – Ezekiel 36:26-28.
In the worship service on Thanksgiving Day, our pastor reminded us that, as right as it is to be thankful for all the good things that the Lord gives us, it is most important to be thankful for God Himself. I am thankful that He is Who He is: A Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question and Answer 4). I’m looking forward to worshiping Him tomorrow, and hearing a sermon preached from His Word, the Bible.
My wish for you, dear Readers, is that you, also, would be thankful people, and that you would know the One to whom your thanks should be directed.