Proverbs 15.15
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”
This is a wonderful verse for Thanksgiving. It speaks to how the condition of our heart shapes the way we experience the situations and circumstances of life.
When we are off-path and do not walk in faithfulness to God, our heart is “afflicted.” As a result, every day can seem miserable. Even if circumstances are good, the “afflicted” are still miserable because they look at life through a pessimistic lens. They fixate on the negative.
The Hebrew word used here for “afflicted” is sometimes translated “poor.” It carries the meaning of poverty of mind or spirit. It describes someone whose heart is dominated by negative emotions. As a result, they are emotionally compromised, moody, and miserable a great deal of the time.
When we are on-path and walk in faithfulness to our Lord, our heart is “cheerful” and life is like “a continual feast.” Even in the mist of negative circumstances we can rejoice, because we know God and trust his promises.
The counterpoint is the person with a “cheerful heart.” It means to be in good spirits. It means to have a positive and joyful attitude. It means seeing the circumstances of life (good and bad) through the lens of the lordship of Christ. It means having an attitude of gratitude.
For the Christian, Thanksgiving is not just a holiday in November. It is a daily attitude. Our gratitude derives not from circumstances, but from who God is, what he has done for us in Christ, and the life of service to which he calls us.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1)
The words that Jesus spoke to his disciples the night before his crucifixion apply to us in our time: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33)
In a fallen world, there will be difficulty, disappointment, and adversity. That is a reality. But the gospel tells us two realities that change everything: 1) Through his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus defeated sin and death. And because of Jesus’ victory on the cross, the fallen world is temporary and will eventually give way to the full blessings of God’s kingdom. 2) The Lord provides his presence, power, and peace to us in the midst of the brokenness. Therefore, even in the midst of trials and tribulations, we give thanks. We can—and should—have an attitude of gratitude.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for the inexpressible gift of salvation in Jesus, and for the high calling to serve as agents of your great kingdom. No matter the circumstances we face, we give thanks every day with a cheerful heart.
