“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruption. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves; who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.196

In the two preceding articles upon this portion of Scripture, we have seen that the Sabbath, when kept in the way that God designed that it should be kept, is the thing by which we show our knowledge of the true God, and which tends to increase that knowledge, so that it stands as the one great safeguard against idolatry. It follows, then, as has been shown, that the heathen who became so by not glorifying the Creator as God when they knew him, lost that knowledge by departing from his Sabbath.SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.197

There is another expression which should be noticed in this connection. It is the phrase, “neither were thankful.” The apostle states that their darkness and degradation were due to the fact that when they knew God they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful. Unthankfulness to God tends to the commission of the greatest sins. Let us see how this is. When men do not thank God for his goodness and mercy shown, it is an evidence that they have no just conception of him. No one who realizes the love of God, as shown even in creation alone, can fail to express love and gratitude to the Creator. And this will bring him in still closer relation to God, for God will reveal himself to such an one still more. But when a person does not thank God for life and breath and all things which are enjoyed at his hand, it is an evidence that he does not regard God as the giver of these things. He does not, in fact, glorify God as God. He has separated himself from God by his ingratitude, and is necessarily left to himself and to the commission of all the evils to which human nature is subject.SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.198

Too much importance cannot be attached to the words of the psalmist, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” A continual expression of thanks to God is no more than justice demands, for he is continually bestowing blessings. The continual exercise of thankfulness keeps in mind the blessings and their Giver, and thus brings the soul nearer to God. So Paul says in his letter to the Philippians, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.199

This is not a mere matter for theorizing concerning the heathen, but is a practical question for every Christian. The Christian who does not continually thank God for his mercies in whatever condition he may be, is in a dangerous position. According to the apostle’s words just quoted, no prayer should be offered without thanksgiving; but this does not mean simply thanksgiving for something received in the past. It means thanksgiving for the blessings asked for in the prayer; the giving of thanks for them even before they have been received. Unless this thanksgiving accompanies the petition there can, indeed, be no blessing received; because nothing can be received without faith, and thanksgiving is an indication of the possession of faith. Take the words of Christ, recorded in Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Note that the receiving of the things is contingent upon believing that we have them. It is our faith that makes them real to us; but if a person greatly desires a thing and is fully persuaded that he has it, surely thanksgiving to the one who has brought it to him is the most natural thing to follow. But how can he believe that he has it?-Why, he has simply the promise of the Lord, who cannot lie, that if we ask we shall receive. What stronger evidence can be desired?SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.200

Take an illustration of our application of this scripture. Here is a poor man who is in great need of food for his family. After suffering the pangs of hunger for some time he goes to a wealthy farmer who is noted for his generosity, and makes known his want. The man responds at once to this appeal for help, and says to his poor neighbor, “I will give you a sack of flour which stands in my store-house. Take this key, and go and help yourself.” Now what would be the first impulse of that poor man?-Why, it would be to thank his benefactor. What for?-For the flour. But he has not received any yet. No; but his confidence in the man’s word leads him to believe that the flour is his, and he thanks him first, and then goes and gets it.SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.201

Surely the Christian should express no less confidence in the promise of God that he delights to give good things to his children, and will grant grace to help in time of need; and when he has once made his request should accompany that request with thanksgiving that God is so liberal. This is an evidence of faith, with which alone God is pleased; but if the petitioner, after making his request, says, “Now I will wait and see if this is granted; and if it is I will thank God,” he will never offer thanks, for his course is an evidence that his petition was not offered in faith. Surely, then, it is a good thing to give thanks unto God; and since thanksgiving is so absolutely necessary for the Christian, we may well understand how a neglect to thank God for his mercies, leads to forgetfulness of God as the giver of mercies; and finally into all the abominations into which the heathen sank. E. J. W.SITI July 1, 1889, page 295.202

June 24, 1889

July 8, 1889