2008-11-26 11:56:00
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).
The other day I stopped by to visit my friend Ken who packs eggs in a large chicken house. His work for most would have an element of drudgery but Ken has a contagious attitude of gratitude. He's likely to greet you by rejoicing that his heart is pumping steadily and after he draws in a deep breath he expresses thanks for the freshly oxygenated air. He tends to elaborate on the often unconsidered gifts from God. This gives him a joyful outlook which spreads to those around him.
This week in our encouragement series we have been focusing on the topic of thanksgiving. May we be full of gratitude to our Lord Jesus knowing that all we are and all we have is a gift from Him.
Many of us will give and receive gifts at Christmas, a custom that for so many is the main thing. The origin of giving gifts (at least in the Christian sense) probably goes back to the gifts the Magi presented to the baby Jesus.
What is our response to these gifts? Some will likely be returned. They didn't fit, wouldn't work or weren't what we liked. Others will soon be forgotten. Others are appreciated but will wear out or break in a relatively short time. And there will be a few that we will cherish for many years, perhaps our entire life. It might even be passed down to our children and be meaningful to them.
I have my PaPa's old wooden cane. It might have been a gift he received at one time but for him it was also a practical aid in his walking. In fact I never recall seeing him without it. My Mom used it some and now it is a sentimental treasure in my possession. Who knows – someday it may not just serve as a warm memory of my PaPa but it may be a functional aid to assist me in walking as well!
But no gift we receive on this earth even remotely compares to the spiritual gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gift we can all receive and share regardless of where we live or how much of this world's possessions we have or don't have. Jesus Christ is certainly the greatest Gift and deserving of our highest thanks!
Paul concludes a section in his second letter to the Corinthian believers by expressing appreciation to them for abounding in good works and for their generosity in supplying the financial gifts needed by the Jerusalem believers. He concludes his expression of thanks with today's marvelous exclamation, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" Many years earlier Paul had been converted and had moved from an attitude of hateful rejection to grateful acceptance of God's gift of salvation through Christ. Through the years his gratitude to God grew and that's the way it should be for all of us.
In his grateful burst of praise he uses a very interesting Greek word to describe the gift. Linguists use the term hapax legomenon to describe a word or phrase that appears only once in a manuscript. The Greek word translated indescribable is used only once by Paul in all his writings. It essentially means, "not expounded in full." Other versions use phrases such as "beyond telling", "inexpressible", and "unspeakable". One words it this way; "a gift too wonderful for words!"
Indeed that is the case with God's greatest gift; a gift too wonderful for words but deserving of our highest thanks. Today and each day let us join with Paul in thanking God for His truly indescribable gift of salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, You gave first and foremost as you selflessly gave of Yourself through the person of Jesus Christ. Your gift of grace exceeds human description, for the far-reaching effects in our lives are truly indescribable. It's too wonderful for words, but it brings unspeakable joy and glorious hope that makes our spiritual journey so worthwhile. We receive Your indescribable gift that brings forgiveness for our sins and reserves for us a home in heaven for all eternity. Thank You, Father! Amen.
Tags: daily encouragement,archive,blog
|
