The giving of thanks is the activity of heaven. Revelation 11:16-17 describes this scene at God’s throne, “And the twenty-four elders [who represent believers] which sat before God on their seats fell upon their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.'”
Unbelievers, non-Christians are not thankful to God. They may say “thank you” when you do something for them, but they are not thankful to God. They do not acknowledge God. Romans 1:21 describes them as “…when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful.” II Timothy 3:2 says they are “unthankful.” So ingratitude is a characteristic of the unredeemed but the saints of God are continually grateful to Him.
Let’s think of some of God’s blessings. In fact, let’s think of them in three categories: spiritual blessings, physical blessings and societal blessings.
First, God has blessed us with spiritual blessings. There is a whole list of them in Ephesians 1. In fact, the chapter sort of begins with verse 3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.” What are some of the spiritual blessings God has given us?
We were depraved sinners, dead in sin and alienated from God. We were on the road to hell and helpless to do anything to save ourselves. Yet out of His great mercy God saved us. We should all pause to thank the Lord for His mercy.