The Present Truth (UK)
October 18, 1900
Offer Unto God Thanksgiving
“I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee. I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou Most High.” PrT October 18, 1900, par. 1
We should ever remember that thanksgiving is the fruit of true, willing obedience. The Lord is the object of our worship, and to praise His holy name shows respect for His efficiency. He says, “Whose offereth praise glorifieth Me.” “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith relies upon God as being able and willing to save to the uttermost all who come to Him. As we speak of God's power, we show that we appreciate the love that is be constantly shown us, that we are grateful for the mercies and favours bestowed on us, and that the whole soul is awakened to a realisation of God's glory. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 2
The absence of praise and thanksgiving pleases the enemy of God; and the line of demarcation between those who utter the holy name of God in blasphemy, and those who praise Him with heart and with voice is clear and distinct. He who is truly converted will glorify God as he beholds the wonderful things of His creation, the brightness of the sun, moon, and stars, the changing beauty of the heavens. To Him all nature will declare God's mighty power. He will be led to give glory to His holy name. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 3
Isaiah tells us what God is doing for us: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. . . . I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel. I will help thee, saith the Lord God, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. . . . When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys, I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.” PrT October 18, 1900, par. 4
What greater encouragement and assurance than this could the Lord give His loyal, commandment-keeping people? Is it not our duty to show the world that we appreciate the love of Christ? As we produce the fruit of thanksgiving, we bear living evidence that by connection with Christ we are placed on vantage ground. God is the fountain of life and power. He can make the wilderness a fruitful held for those who keep His commandments; for it is for the glory of His name to do this. Thus He witnesses to Christianity. He has done for His chosen people that which should inspire every heart with praise and thanksgiving; and it grieves Him that so little praise is offered. He desires to have a stronger expression of praise from His people, showing that they know they have reason for manifesting joy and gladness. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 5
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. . . . And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” As the grace which is in the soul flows out to others, more grace flows in to be given back to God in willing offerings. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 6
The people of God need to be aroused to let their light shine forth. Christ said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” God's people should be an animated people, filled with joy and gladness because they behold Him who is invisible to the eyes of the world. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 7
Our tongues should be used to express the appreciation in our hearts for God's goodness. Thus God requires us to return to Him gratitude offerings. But this is not the only way in which we are to praise God. We are to praise Him by tangible service, by doing all we can to advance the glory of His name. By improving our entrusted talents, we are to offer thanksgiving to God. PrT October 18, 1900, par. 8
Mrs. E. G. White.