“And for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (NJB)

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (RSV)

I Thessalonians. 5:18

In 2017 while I was working in Ibadan, a man called me to find out how much it takes to sustain a person with an oxygen per night. I thought it was one of these online jokes and wondered what prompted the question. It was then he informed me that his mother spent just few nights at a hospital in Onitsha and was given exorbitant bill to pay. When he enquired what made the bill too high. He was told that it was because of the oxygen used to keep his mother alive. He was not worried of other costs but in his wildest imagination, he could not believe that ordinary air could be that costly. That man woke me up from sleep. Are you sleeping? Wake up. Put on your reflective cap.  I kept pondering over many things. One thought that stayed longer was about air time or recharge card.

That kept me pondering-- how much airtime I use weekly, I don’t know how much you use in a day, a week or in a month. Supposing the Federal Government announces that due to the change in climatic condition caused by COVID -19, natural breeze, ordinary air has been contaminated and that purified ones are now been sold in the filling stations, hospitals, supermarkets, and nearest schools- Think. How much can you afford for a week?  Will you continue with exercises and laughter that will burn the air faster? How sure are you that it will not be hijacked by doctors who have private clinics, oil marketers and cabals in the government? How sure are you that contaminated ones will still not be smuggled into the market?

With that story of amazement, I determined and concluded that I would never take anything for granted for the rest of my life, whether it is free or not; whether it is a privilege or not, whether it is a right or not. Every good gifts comes from above (James 1:17). It is our duty, my duty and your duty to give thanks to God at all times, in all circumstances and always. Take nothing for granted. Give thanks for the breath you breathe. Give thanks for the day you nearly died and God saved you. Give thanks to God for the gifts you have- the land, the shoes, the cars, the hopes, the courage, the dreams, the life you live. Give thanks to God for your enemies who kept you on your toes. Give thanks that you can see and walk. Even if you cannot see or speak or walk, given thanks. Be grateful that you are alive. Give thanks that you are able to love and be loved. Give thanks for the beautiful opportunities to learn, unlearn and relearn. Give thanks for those who want to be like you and for those who inspire you to greatness. Give thanks for your abilities that help you attain goals and for your weaknesses that make you realize you are not God.

Here are some reasons why thanksgiving to God always is a priority:

1. Every good gift is from God

It is good to remember that every good thing is a gift and the Scripture tells us that every good gift is from God. Even your life is a gift. It is more of the gift of God than the right of humans. So that you are being alive is not more about your right but your gift. Whatever good you have, whatever you possess -wherever beautiful place you find yourself, whether as a head of any agency, director of any institution, head of any state, association or movement, group; controller of riches; whatever position, background, pedigree you enjoy –it is a gift of God.  That you can hear me now is a gift of God. Giving thanks to God is a priority because every good gift is from God

1. The Giver of Gifts is Almighty-

The giver of every good gift is almighty. He has power to do whatever he likes. It is also important to know that the gift still belongs to the giver who gives as he wishes. You are a steward of God’s gift. He can multiply the gift. He can take back his gift. He can take the gift from one and give to another. Psalm 75:7-He brings one down and raises another up. He can transfer the gift. He knows how long the gift will last in the hand of the gifted. He is all powerful, all mighty, all-knowing God. He deserves to be giving thanks always.

1. Thanksgiving to God is the highest form of worship

One reason thanksgiving is a priority is because it is the highest form of worship. Each time you thank God, you perform the noblest act of honour to God. That is why the Eucharistic celebration which is the source and summit of our life literary means ‘thanksgiving’. He who worships God, prays to God. St. Augustine says that when you praise God, you pray twice. You can thank God in so many ways. You can thank God by doing a favour to someone. You can thank God by dancing in his presence. You can thank God by singing. You can thank God by mentioning his titles.

1. Thanksgiving Reminds you of your humanity

Another interesting reason why you must give thanks always is because it reminds you of your humanity. Gift of God is godly and so can make the ungodly and sinners presume to be God. What does thanksgiving do to us- it kills pride and arrogance.  Thanking God always reminds you that everything good is from God and is God’s.  It reminds you that you are just a steward of God’s resources.  It reminds you that you shall be judged on how you use God’s gift. It keeps you on the right path.

1. There is always something to thank God for

To give thanks to God always is a priority because there is always something to thank God for-every moment, every day, every week.  If it is not for one thing, it will be for another. Every moment is a gift. Every day is a gift. Every week is a gift. Every opportunity is a gift. Every anniversary, every birthday, every memorable event is a gift of God. No one is so blind, poor or little that he cannot see any reason to thank God. No one is so great, big, rich, or sufficient that he cannot see any reason to give thanks to God.

1. Thanksgiving opens doors for more blessings

In thanksgiving for his kingship, Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar of God. That night, God visited him in a dream and said, “Ask what you would like me to give you.” (I King 3:4-5). Philip. 4: 6 tells us to come to God in thanksgiving and present our petitions to him. Thanksgiving opens door for more blessings. Thanksgiving moments are moments of divine, manifestation, encounter, favour and abundance. It is always a time of divine manifestation. In Acts 16:25-26, when Paul and Silas, prayed and thanked God, sang hymns to him, he manifested his glory. As one gives thanks, one receives more. “And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened.” (Act 16:26 NAS).

Dear friends, thanksgiving will indeed make you the object of heavenly attention. The foundations of evil against your life will be broken. The foundations of oppressions, humiliations, afflictions and evil intentions against you will be uprooted.  The foundations of falsehood and calumny against your life will be unveiled. The doors shut against you will be opened. Doors of testimonies will open for you; doors of opportunities will open for you. Doors of miracles will open for you. Doors of riches and happiness will open for you. Every chain around your health and destiny is unfastened. Every chain around you, visible or invisible is destroyed.

Heavenly Father, I give you thanks for the gift of this day.  I thank you for the life of your servants reading this. Thanks for the many blessings they enjoy. Thanks for their good wishes and dreams. Thanks for raising their hopes high. Thanks for being always faithful to your word and promises. Thanks for the moments they shall celebrate the answers to their prayers. Thanks for their disappointments, failures and sufferings which you will always turn to their good because they love you. Thanks for being the Lord of their lives. Thanks for the gift of breath and sleep. Thanks for placing them where they are today. Thanks for the promises of growth, elevations and progress to your people. Thank you who never fail nor disappoint. Thank you for being God.

Merciful Father, forgive for the many times your people have shown signs of ingratitude in your many favours. Thanks for you are always ready to forgive and sanctify those who come to you in repentance. Thanks for being generous with your mercies. Provident Father, I invoke your grace of thanksgiving and praise over everyone that praises your holy name. Let a miracle of thanksgiving and praise occur in their lives. Let their testimonies change lives and bring salvation to souls. Let their testimonies cause chains of testimonies for others, in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Finally, remember to give thanks to God. Do it often. Do it always. Do it everywhere. Do it expectantly. Expect divine manifestation as you give thanks to God.