Every day, I offer a word of thanks to God for the food I am about to consume. It is a habit that has been developed over my entire life. I am passing that same habit on to my children and hopefully they will in turn pass it on to their children as well. However, being thankful to God should be more than just a habit, but an intentional act that is a part of our daily walk with Jesus.
In Leviticus 2, we see the grain offering is an offering of thanks to God. It was a way for the people to be reminded that even the food they need for life comes from God. He is their provider and they should recognize that over anything or anyone else. A thankful life is one that desires a right and pleasing relationship with someone. The absence of leaven in the sacrifice was symbolic of the absence of sin. One of the ways the people were encouraged to live out their thankfulness was to avoid sin.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, we can become so satisfied with a few words of thanks that we forget to express that gratitude through our attitude and action each day. In order to truly be thankful and reliant on God, we must confess that he is perfect and we are not. If this is true, then we must also be willing to ask the Lord “What am I wrong about?” Then as God reveals the things in our lives that brought us undeserved certainty, we can avoid those idols and sins and be filled with grateful hearts. This is hard work and takes time and intentionality but at the end of the day it is very much worth it.
Thank you Lord that you are God and I am not. Amen.
Rev. Christopher Hall, Jacksonville, Fla.
Extended Scripture: Leviticus 1–5
