Give Thanks to God

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, titled Give Thanks to God, was written by Katerra Patton. My friend hurried from her stressful job at the hospital, wondering what she would prepare for dinner before her husband returned from his equally demanding job. She had made chicken on Sunday and served leftovers on Monday. Then, they had yet another round of chicken, this time baked, on Tuesday. She found two pieces of fish in the freezer, but she knew the fillets weren't her husband's favorite.

Not finding anything else she could prepare in just a few minutes, she decided the fish would just have to do. As she placed the dish on the table, she said somewhat apologetically to her husband who had just arrived home, I know this isn't your favorite. Her husband looked up and said, honey, I'm just happy we have food on the table. His attitude reminds me of the importance of being grateful and thankful for our daily provisions from God, whatever they are. Giving thanks for Our Daily Bread or meals models Jesus' example. When he ate with two disciples after his resurrection in Luke 24, Christ took bread, gave thanks and broke it. He thanked his father as he had earlier when he'd fed the five thousand with five loaves and two small fish in John 6. When we give thanks for our daily meals and for other provisions, our gratitude reflects Jesus' ways and honors our Heavenly Father.

Let's give thanks to God today. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional reading is from Luke 24, verses 28 through 35. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, stay with us, for it is nearly evening, the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven and those with them assembled together and sang, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.

Then the two told what had happened on the way and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. Let's pray. Lord, our lives are so busy, and it's easy to take the blessings of life for granted. We just want to take a moment right now and thank you for the many ways in which you provide for us every day. Help us remember to be thankful for every good thing you give us. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Toni Collyer and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.