In this time of worldwide turmoil some may wonder if there is any reason to be thankful. International turmoil, protests in American cities, political uncertainty and fears about global warming join with personal sorrows to make the world seem a dark and miserable place. Despite the incredible problems threatening the peace and stability of our world everyone has great cause for thankfulness. Despite personal tragedies a person may suffer everyone has an abundance of reasons to be thankful.

Everyone can, and should be, thankful because every good thing in life is a gift from Another. Thankfulness is necessary because the universe owes humanity nothing. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not owed to anyone of any nationality. Life itself is a gift and the continuance of life is the generosity of the Giver of life who sustains all things. (Colossians 1:17) Happiness and the things which bring it are gifts from the Source of all joy. (Psalm 43:4) The sun that fuels life and the rain that nourishes all creatures is the gift of God. (Matthew 5:45) The sun is God’s to do with as He pleases, yet He in His goodness chooses to send its rays across the entire world. (Psalm 19:4-6)

Psalm 104 teaches many reasons to give thanks to God every day. He is the Creator who formed the earth and rules continually over it for its protection. (Psalm 104:5-9) God sends the rivers and streams across the lands for the good of all the birds and beasts of the earth. (Psalm 104:10-12) God waters the earth with rains and satisfies it’s thirst. (Psalm 104:13) He causes all plant life to grow for the benefit of people. He gives daily bread and much, much more. He gives sweet fruit drinks to gladden hearts. He gives oils to refresh and cleanse. He gives bread to strengthen people’s hearts. (Psalm 104:14-14)

God plants the trees as a nesting place for the bird. He formed the hills and cliffs as homes for wild animals. (Psalm 104:16-18) God set the sun and the moon in the heavens to mark the seasons and days. He gives day and night for the good of all creation. (Psalm 104:19-23) All receive their food from the hand from God. “You open your hand, they are filled with good.” (Psalm 104:28)

Everyone has abundant cause for thankfulness. Even in tragedy and sorrow God’s good gifts are still evident. The food in the refrigerator, the sun in the sky, the birds in the trees and animals in the fields are all gifts from God. He sustains those gifts by His daily, gracious giving. Give thanks because all you have is from God. Give thanks because God has given you more than the basic necessities. Give thanks because God provides abundantly, sumptuously and generously for His creation. Though the curse of sin continues to be felt in every life, the gifts of God are greater. Thank Him for all He does.

The world often seems unfair. Good people suffer while evil people often appear to have an easy life. Most people instinctively know that evil should be punished and good rewarded. If God is just why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?

This question is one that has troubled God’s people for thousands of years. Psalm 73 describes the problem well, “I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.” (Psalm 73:3-8, 12)

The prophet Habakkuk saw unrestrained wickedness increasing and the ungodly threatening to overwhelm the righteous. He cried out to God, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:13) The prophet’s words echo the cry of many hearts. However, Scripture does not just raise the question. God gives troubled men an answer to this perplexing problem.

The answer revealed in Psalm 73 and in the book of Habakkuk still applies today. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary while the blessing of the righteous will be eternal. God also assures all men that the wicked will not escape judgment. “Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.” (Psalm 73:18-19) Habakkuk 2 pronounces five woes on the ungodly and Habakkuk 3 promises that God will deliver the righteous. The do prosper for a little while, but their prosperity will expire. The wicked will be cut off. God will establish the righteous in joy that will never cease.

Judgment will certainly fall on the wicked. Reward will certainly be given to the righteous. However, judgment and reward are never fully doled out in this life. As a result, many people feel as if the wicked are never judged and the righteous are never rewarded. The problem is that most people do not think beyond this life. Most people act as if this life is everything. That perspective is wrong.

The Bible reveals this life is not all there is. Existence, suffering and joy do not end at death. Every person continues to exist in a conscious state and is able to experience sorrow and joy. What a person is given after this life they will never lose. All the good things gained in this life are kept for only a short time. All the good things received in Heaven are kept forever. All the horrors suffered in this life will be endured for only a short time. The judgment after death will have no end. The wicked may prosper right now, but the righteous will be comforted forever. (Luke 16:25) The righteous may suffer now, but the wicked will be punished forever.

When a person can learn to view life through the eyes of faith he will see that God may not be bring full judgment on to the wicked right now, but He will not fail to judge everyone in eternity. A life of ease and prosperity now is a poor substitute for an eternity of joy. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26)