“Be Thankful Unto Him” (Psalm 100:4) 
As we stand at the hardware store counter, the cashier offers the little boy by our side a candy fish. We watch to see if he remembers what he should say. A smiling boy saying a soft “thank you” is a welcome sight. It is encouraging to Dad when he remembers. And when he doesn’t, it’s a reminder to keep working at it. 
As Christians, we are like the little boy. We are standing by God’s counter. God keeps handing us things. Some things we’ve asked for and others we have not. 
Let’s consider some of the things God has graciously handed to us. The bible has been a priceless treasure to mankind. David said, “I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel.” Today, we should be doing the same. God’s counsels are in His written Word. We can learn so much about God and ourselves. The most important questions about the past, today, and the future are answered in the enduring Word of God. Be thankful unto Him! 
Another thing God has handed across the counter to us is the opportunity for spiritual healing. many refuse to take the greatest gift that could make the greatest difference in their life for time and eternity. How sad to think of the grave consequences of reaching for things that are from the hand of Satan and refusing God’s offer of salvation. When Jesus healed the ten lepers, and one returned to give thanks, Jesus raised the question, “But where are the nine?” Ninety per cent failed to give thanks to Christ for His life-changing healing. As Christians, do we have a deep heart of gratitude for our spiritual healing? If we do, that overflow will come forth in our private and public prayers. And above all, our thanks will be shown in an obedient life. Be thankful unto Him! 
The kind hand of God has given us a goodly heritage. David said, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” We can be certain David did not have a perfect upbringing. Yet he concludes, “Yea, I have a goodly heritage.” 
Again, we should be saying, “Amen.” many of us have been richly blessed by being raised by parents that taught us about God and right from wrong. We went to Sunday school, Christian day school, and youth bible school. Many of us have benefited in many, many ways from those of the past that had a vision for the future generations. Be thankful unto Him! 
Ephesians 5:20, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father.” This is a “catch all.” God hands us many, many things across the counter of life. For some things we can give an enthusiastic “thank you,” like another safe arrival of a prayed-for baby, another decision for Christ at church, another good communion ser- vice, another year to put away plenty of food and feed for the winter months. The “all things” to give thanks for also include those things we struggle accepting from the hand of God—the costly business mistake, health chal- lenges, the burden of responsibility, and even the loss of a loved one. While the thank-you may be delayed, our loving Father wants us to trust Him in these experiences and say like Da- vid, “For the Lord is good.” We are thankful for God’s patience with us in awaiting our thank-you for the “all things.”
We can be confident our Father in heaven is pleased when we, His children, give heartfelt thanks for His many gifts. may we keep learning to look up to Him and say “thank you” every time.