The Meaning Of Life

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/psalms/75.htm

I know this is going to sound like an insult, but you are nothing. You are. Nor am I.

Did I become a fireman of my own accord? Did I get the job based on my knowledge or abilities? Nope. I was 18, four months out of High School (barely made it out because all that was required was a High School Diploma and they all look the same whether you get “A’s” or “C’s” and in 9th Grade Civics Class two firemen told us all that was needed was a diploma and a driver’s license), and while I was tall, the only other thing that saved me was that my chest size was larger than my waist size (there wasn’t a weight restriction, it was based on size). And I do believe my father’s wonderful work ethic helped me get hired as well (he worked hard for the City for 34 years).

But nothing I did got me a job at the fire station.

My family and I picked up groceries Friday afternoon; almost $300 worth (I was just a couple of sacks, haha). Can I take credit for feeding my family? Nope.

We drove to the grocery store in a nice older, but reliable, car that started when I turned the ignition because the battery was ready to go and I had filled it with gasoline. Man, am I good or what? Nope.

I could go on and on and on. My point though, is that I am not responsible for any of these things…God is! God helped me through High School (though I didn’t realize it at the time). God made it possible for me to become a fireman. God made sure I had gainful employment for 46+ years. God bought our groceries Friday, and God provided me with a vehicle with which to go get them.

Before you think I’m rambling, Verse 1 of Psalm 75 says, “Give thanks to God”. How many of us do that? I try to make it a point that when I pray, and I try to pray often, the first thing I do is to give God “thanks” for all of the blessings he bestows on me. I know that it could be the opposite, so I make sure He knows how much I appreciate everything He does.

As a former firefighter, one of the first things I give thanks for is that we survived the night without a deadly fire. God hold our protection in His hands, and we should be thankful for that. I also thank Him for protecting us from bad weather and home intruders (we live on the outskirts of town with few neighbors).

I thank Him for another day of life. I thank Him that my family or I are healthy and not in some hospital room somewhere. I can go on and on, but I’m not trying to brag, I’m trying to illustrate something.

How many of us pray just to pray for something? How many pray, “God help me pass this test at school.”, or “God, help me get that promotion at work”, or God, “I really want that new car”, or even worse, “God, help me win the lottery!”

First of all, I don’t think God will bless us with wealth or material things just because we ask…He will provide us what we need if we ask Him. But first, we need to show our appreciation for all of the blessing He bestows on us, and trust me, there are many, many blessings we don’t even recognize! Hidden blessings that only God Himself knows.

I know first hand, my family are mentally handicapped, and they are quick to ask for things, and lean on giving thanks. Because of their intellectual levels and mental handicaps, I totally understand and don’t hold it against them, but with anyone else…if all they did was ask me for things without giving thanks, how generous would that make me feel?

Despite our faults, God still loves us. But I am sure that He is more generous with His blessings if we first give Him thanks for what we already receive, and again I say, that is everything. Everything you have in your life right now, down to the toothbrush you use every morning (I hope you brush your teeth every morning), is a gift of God!

So before we ask for things in prayer, first give thanks. I have mental problems because of all my years in public safety, so thanking God for protecting my family is usually at the forefront, but you may have other priorities in life that affect you differently.

“Give thanks to God”.

Asaph wasn’t wrong.

Thank you God for protecting my family and my extended families overnight. Thank you for waking us up this morning to a beautiful new day you’ve given us. Thank you for another day of life. Thank you for keeping us safe, and healthy, and out of the hospital. Thank you for providing us with a warm house with which to live, thank you for providing us with food and clothing. And thank you for all of your hidden blessings that we don’t always know or recognize.

Amen.