We live in a world that has short-term memory. The memory life span of many is so short, that mistakes and circumstances that brought them sorrow are repeated without a thought to the fact that what they are doing they had done before with dire consequences. As a result of this attitude, many have grown more wilful towards the things of God. One of the signs of the end time, according to 2 Timothy 3, is people being ungrateful. Being ungrateful means not showing gratitude for help, gifts or kindness they received; a feeling of entitlement to whatever they think they have received.
Being ungrateful is a state of mind that believes that the good things that happen to them is deserving, and they do not see any reason to be thankful for them. So was the case of a man named Nabal (which means 'Fool') in the Bible. He was a harsh and evil man in his dealings, yet a very wealthy man in the region he lived in. From the account of his life, it was seen that his wealth was not a result of his astuteness or wit, for he had neither. No wonder the Bible tells us: "I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the strong, and neither is bread to the wise nor riches to those of intelligence and understanding nor favor to men of ability; but time and chance overtake them all" (Ecclesiastes 9:11, AMP).
Throughout the time David and his men were in the region where Nabal's cattle were grazing, he did not record any loss; rather, his estate (wealth) flourished. One would think such a man would mentally take note of such an occurrence and give glory to God, then, respect (honor) those through whom God gave him the protection. He was unrelenting in his ungratefulness. And God killed him for it!
Many times, we feel what we have is a result of our skills and strength. We sometimes forget that God is the One Who has blessed us using others as instruments. We do not acknowledge this, and when we lose whatever we think we have, we blame everybody but ourselves. Beloved, being ungrateful is not a passing state but an attitude of the heart. If you do not cultivate the habit of being grateful for small things, you cannot be grateful for big things.
In this age, in their entitled minds, many feel they own the world and the things around them, in fact, the world and everyone owe them. They forget how they got to where they are and fail to acknowledge He that has and is still sustaining them. Beloved, when was the last time you actually were grateful to God? Not the words we recite when starting or finishing our prayers, but genuinely devoting time to telling the LORD how grateful we are?
When we are grateful, we get the fullness of the blessing God has for us then as we saw: "One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice; and he lay face downward at Jesus' feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, 'where not ten [of you] cleansed? Where are the [other] nine? Was there no one found to return and to give thanks and praise to God, except this foreigner?' Jesus said to him, 'Get up and go [on your way]. Your faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God's power] has restored you to health'" (Luke 17: 15-19, AMP).
Our being grateful to God is telling Him that we are confident in His power to save us completely, to the uttermost parts of the earth, no matter what our circumstances may be! It is foolhardy for a child of the Kingdom to think that what he/she has or where they are is by the works of their hands or skills or intelligence! No, it is by the mercies of God. Our gratitude cements the gifts and blessings received from the LORD, and even makes Him bless us more!
Finally, Beloved, the position of our heart towards God should always be: "Though the fig does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Don't be a Nabal, show gratitude always! God bless you.
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