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Devotions

That We May Thank and Praise Him

2 Corinthians 9:15:
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

No doubt when Thanksgiving Day comes around, many of us will look at all of the earthly things we possess and think to ourselves, “We are blessed.” After all, we all have places to live, clothes on our backs, food in our stomachs and many other items that not only satisfy our needs but also our wants. Some of us may even take a moment to thank God for all the blessings that he has given, for he truly provides for all our physical needs.

But in our text, Paul is giving thanks to God for a different kind of gift. He is thanking God for the indescribable gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. For us sinners, who by our nature turn our backs on God, our heavenly Father in His grace and mercy knew that only in our Savior would we have the opportunity to have a close and intimate relationship with Him. Out of love for His creation, our heavenly Father provided for us our greatest needs: forgiveness, life and salvation. In Christ, our Lord provides us with everything that we are unable to provide for ourselves. Finally, there is nothing that we can do but thank and praise our heavenly Father for all that he has so graciously done.

Martin Luther once wrote, “Ah, dear Lord God, only grant that we may believe and thank Thee, who hast been so concerned about us, yea, hast given us everything in Christ.” God grant us the faith and trust to believe that Jesus truly is our Savior, and grant us a faith which responds with genuine praise and thanksgiving for all that he has done and continues to do in our lives now and for eternity.

Dear Lord, thank you for Jesus and the free gift of forgiveness, life and salvation in Him. Amen.