When the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us.... When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
   - Acts 28:15

Comparing the record of the Old Testament prophet with that of the New Testament apostle, we find that in one case thanksgiving led to courage, and that in the other courage was required to render thanks. And the conclusion we draw from these examples is that gratitude to God and the absence of fear are closely joined together: so we find in what another prophet sang: "I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and song" (Isaiah 12:2).

I sometimes wonder whether we take sufficient pains to be thankful to God, and thus to maintain a cheery heart and a smiling face in spite of gloomy circumstances. There are of course special privations to which all are liable at one time or another. We are liable to become cast down and discouraged, and forget how to be thankful. We almost feel like those Jewish captives when they said, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" (Psalm 137:4).

Is it however really the case that there is nothing whatever in your life which calls for thanksgiving to God? Can you not recall one mercy? There must surely be one: are there not even two? perhaps you can if you try count a score, and if you try hard, a hundred and more. And on adequate reflection you will probably say like the Psalmist, "Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered" (Psalm 40:5).

Try habitual thanksgiving as a tonic, and you will then find your nerves braced, and your loins girded to meet whatever lies ahead.

William J. Hocking