'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — July 31

The Spirit of God teaches the souls of believers this lesson of thankfulness. David's heart was tuned to the praises of God, and it is important that thankfulness is encouraged and practised under the gospel also. Thanksgiving demonstrates a spiritual and noble frame of the soul in the highest pitch of grace. The Lord Jesus taught us thankfulness both by pattern and precept, and he thanked God frequently and fervently. Even when he was to eat common bread, he gave thanks (Mark 8:6). The nine lepers were reproved for their unthankfulness (Luke 17:17-18). Thankfulness is the worship we owe God for all that we have and are (1 Cor. 15:10). We live precariously, and are always at God's mercy. God in his sovereignty might have never made us; or, he could have crushed us into nothing as soon as we were made, for, 'has the potter no right over the clay?' (Rom. 9:21). Every moment we depend upon him, and all we have are gifts from him (Acts 17:25). His power over us is absolute and infinite. To this Sovereign we owe all, and therefore we owe him our thanks. ‘For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen' (Rom. 11:36). Christians have innumerable and invaluable spiritual mercies (1 Pet. 1:3-4). The decree to send Jesus for poor sinners, the opening of a fountain of grace, the making and ratifying of the covenant of grace, his precious promises, with all other choice gospel privileges of grace and glory, of God's all sufficiency, and the infinite merit and righteousness of the Son upon the cross—all of these deserve a suitable and proportionate gift of thanks and blessing from us, both here and in heaven. ‘Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you' (Psa. 63:3).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
William Cooper, Puritan Sermons 1659-1689, I:415-421
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