Devotions
Being grateful
Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the father... - James 1:17
When I
started this weekly devotion, it was not to add another preaching in your
inbox. But as I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit, I wanted to share real life
experiences and life lessons the Lord allowed me to gain. Many years ago, I was
rushed to the hospital in a very excruciating pain. I arrived at the ER around
4 am. The doctors present refused to give me any painkillers despite my
supplications. They said they might undermine medical tests and further
complicate my condition in case I had a kidney problem. I was later diagnosed
with a kidney stone. While I was still in that room agonizing, alone without
any family or friends, I thought that would be my last day. But I was not
concerned in any way, not even a little bit. Instead, I watched everyone around
me in good health and wondered if they were thanking God that they are not in
pain. I wondered if they realized that not feeling pain is something we have to
appreciate. I realized there and then, or the Spirit allowed me to realize,
that I really never understood what I mean when I pray God, I thank you that
I’m in good health. My prayer had always been sincere, but my gratitude for
being in good health had been rather shallow. It is one thing to be grateful
for a miracle of healing, and it is another thing to wake up every day healthy
and feel that same level of gratitude.
As
believers, we pray every day and thank God that we are well, we have a roof
over our heads, we can put food on the table and clothes on our body. These are
the most basic needs for human decency, so we may feel it is normal to have
them. It is only when we lack them that we appreciate that these basic needs
are good gifts from heaven. During Covid-19, I watched thousands of people
queueing at food banks in the US because they did not have food. These were not
immigrants; they were Americans whose families had lived there for centuries. Though
the crisis due to the pandemic made it worse, the issue of people needing
Government support to eat has always been there. In Canada, many elementary
schools offer breakfast because, according to the Country official statistics,
two children out of five do not have breakfast. Most of us can’t even imagine
what it means to be without food. Our parents, grandparents and great
grandparents did not lack food, so how can we know? But the truth is that
having food on the table is not something to be taken for granted, it is a
gift. Because there are those who try really hard but still can’t get enough to
put in their bellies.
It is not that I want to teach you the things you already know, to be grateful for small things. I neither imply that your praises do not stem from a very grateful heart because you have never known hardship or are not facing one today. I am instead encouraging you to take your life of praise and offering to another level. I remember the peace offering in the book of Leviticus 7. That offering meant just that; it was a free-will offering for someone at peace. It was brought to the sanctuary out of the overflow of the worshipper’s heart. Therefore, once in a while, from time to time, without your pastor asking for it, without there being a fundraising event at your church and without there being a miracle or a special favor God granted you, of your own volition, give a peace offering to God. Tell him, I thank you that I have food, that my country, family, and neighbours are doing fine. Surprise God with an offering. Yes, people in the Bible have surprised God with their offerings! (Example of David in 2Samuel 7; example of Salomon in 2Chronicles 7). You will see how your relationship with God will be impacted.
Posted : May 25, 2026