Give Thanks to the Lord

I think it’s appropriate that, in a month so focused on thankfulness, we are reading several books which share all that we should be most thankful for. This month, we’ll start with Hebrews, one of the few books in the Bible whose author is unknown. The one, most incredible thing for which we have to be thankful is mentioned in Hebrews 12:28: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” The author of Hebrews reminds the reader of Christ’s superiority and of this New Covenant by which we are saved. If nothing else worth being thankful for ever happens again in our lives, this should be enough! James tells us to be thankful even in temptation, because when we have obediently endured, we will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). Peter, John, and Jude continue to teach and encourage, even amid their own persecution and trials.

And then there’s Revelation, one of the most confusing, and therefore skipped over, books in the Bible. There are many different views regarding Revelation, and I myself have not begun to understand it all. No doubt this book will give you plenty to think about. Revelation does clearly mention giving thanks and praise to Jesus, again reminding us of one thing for which we can all be thankful: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign” (Revelation 11:17).

So, in this time of year when we are often reminded to be thankful, let us give thanks for the greatest blessing of all: Christ’s offer of salvation through His death and resurrection.

Lisa Grimenstein

Suggested Reading, November 2008

November 01 (Hebrews 1:1-14; 2:1-18)
November 02 (Hebrews 3:1-19; 4:1-16)
November 03 (Hebrews 5:1-14; 6:1-28)
November 04 (Hebrews 7:1-28: 8:1-13; 9:1-15)
November 05 (Hebrews 9:16-28; 10:1-39)
November 06 (Hebrews 11: 1-40)
November 07 (Hebrews 12:1-29; 13:1-25)
November 08 (James 1:1-27)
November 09 (James 2:1-26; 3:1-18)
November 10 (James 4:1-17; 5:1-20)
November 11 (I Peter 1:1-25; 2:1-25)
November 12 (I Peter 3:1-22; 4:1-19)
November 13 (I Peter 5:1-14; II Peter 1:1-21)
November 14 (II Peter 2:1-22; 3:1-18)
November 15 (I John 1:1-10; 2:1-29)
November 16 (I John 3:1-24; 4:1-21)
November 17 (I John 5:1-21; II John 1:1-13)
November 18 (III John 1:1-14; Jude 1:1-25)
November 19 (Revelation 1:1-20; 2:1-29)
November 20 (Revelation 3:1-22; 4:1-11; 5:1-14)
November 21 (Revelation 6:1-17; 71-17; 8:1-13)
November 22 (Revelation 9:1-21; 10:1-11)
November 23 (Revelation 11:1-12; 12:1-17)
November 24 (Revelation 13:1-18; 14:1-20)
November 25 (Revelation 15:1-8; 16:1-21)
November 26 (Revelation 17:1-18; 18:1-24)
November 27 (Revelation 19:1-21)
November 28 (Revelation 20:1-15)
November 29 (Revelation 21:1-27)
November 30 (Revelation 22:1-21)