Sometimes small things move us to thanksgiving. A Filipino PRTS student just walked into my study with five copies of our newly published volume 3 of “Reformed Systematic Theology: The Spirit and Salvation” and asked me to sign them for five ministers in the Philippines. He himself was converted from Arminianism to the Reformed faith not that long ago, as were these five ministers, so upon my questioning, he told me that he wanted to send them this volume (at his own expense!) to help them continue to make progress in the Reformed faith experientially. As he walked out of my study, my heart was touched with gratitude to God for this small, sweet token of His goodness. In a thousand ways, we owe thanksgiving to God for “His mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136). John Flavel put it so well: “He that gives no thanks for one mercy hath litte ground to expect another.”
I wish you and your family a truly blessed Thanksgiving Day in Christ Jesus. For things big and small, yes, “in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18). May God grant us all to experience this holiday weekend the precious words of Thomas Brooks: “Thanksgiving is a self-denying grace; it is an uncrowning of ourselves and the creatures to set the crown upon the head of our Creator; it is the making ourselves a footstool, that God may be lifted up upon His throne and ride in a holy triumph over all.”
