From Wretchedness to Thanksgiving
November 23, 2009

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! … There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 7:24-8:1

Counting your blessings and expressing thanksgiving to God for them is something we should do “early and often.” But I urge you today: make it a full list of blessings! Give God thanks for all the physical things he has given you, for the help he provides through each day, for your treasured relationships … as the list goes on, be sure to remember the deepest things of all: thanksgiving for salvation from your sin, for freedom from slavery, for redemption from wretchedness. Without this core, all the other blessings would never have come to be!

• Spend some time remembering your “B.C.” days – what was your life like before you accepted Christ as your Savior? What sins tormented you? What fears gripped you? What addictions enslaved you?
• Picture the cross in your mind, with Jesus hanging on it. Consider that every beat of his heart was for you – to save you from those sins, those fears, those addictions … from the absolute wretchedness of your life.
• Now picture him risen from the dead – your savior, your brother, your friend, your king, your captain, your advocate, your peace, your hope, and your God! Offer him great thanksgiving from the depth of your heart!