Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-08-03
THANKFULNEss WITH AN "1F."


This is not an uncommon sort Of
thnDkfulness.
Many people are thankful with al
eff"
At least, their words of thankfulness
has an eff, or "when," added.
"How thankful l should be, if the
next mail brought better news of my
son abroad" says one.
"I should be thankful" says
another, ''if the cloud were lifted, and
L could see my way ont of this diff
Guilty."
''I shall be so thankful, when / feel
better, and can get about again." says
a third.
Are such s.ifs" and "whers" wrong?
No, they cannot be wrong, because
they show that the speaker looks to
God for the happy change he desires;
and, should 1t come, will doubtless
thank Him for it. The anxious mother
prays that the mail may bring better
account, and will praise God when it
comes. The person under cloud prays
in that darkness and perplexity, and
will be truly thankful when light ap-
pears The sick man prays on his bed,
and will rise from it, and go about,
with thankful heart As far as it
goes, this is quite right, this looking
to God, praying to God, and meaning
to thank God.
But this does not go far enough?
Ought not the thnnkfulness to begin
earlier? Should we not be thankful
without ifs and whens? Should we not
all be thankful now2
Yes, surely. Such words seem to
imply though it is by no means always
the csse) that you are not thankful yet,
but that you will be some day; or that
you would be. if such aud such thing
were TO happen, but not otherwise.
This cannot be right, for we are di-
rected thus: Sin every thing give
thanks"
Therefore begin now, if you are to
give thanks in everything, give thanks
now, under your present circum-
stances. Mix praise with prayer, after
the pattern set by st. Paul: '1n
everything, by prayer and supplica-
ton, with Thanksgiving let your re-
quests be made known unto Godp Do
not put off being thankful till some.
thing or other happens; want for nothing.
Is there nothing to be thankful for
to-day? The mail is not in yet, and you
know not what news 1t may bring; but,
at least, you have heard no bad news.
Remember, your son Is in Gods hands,
however far he may be from you.
When you pray for him, you put him
afresh under his loving care. Leave
him there, with trustful and peaceful
and thankful heart. "He shall not be
afraid of evil things: his heart is fixed;
trusting in the Lord"
There is cloud over you, and you
cannot see your way at present. But,
even under the cloud, there is much to
give thanks for. To the children of
Israel cloud was even made the token
of Gods presence. God is above your
cloud nay, i'll it. For it could not be
tuere without his will. A cloudy time
may be time of great blessing. Has
not God helped you hitherto? Has He
not brought you forth from under
other clouds? Is He not near you now?
Have you not His word and His prom
ises? Thank Him for all this, thank
Him to-day, thank Him before the
clouds lifts and the way is cleared.
You will thank Him all the better
when light appears, If you have
thanked Him in the darkness. And,
besides, how can you pray in faith, if
you have no thankfulness of heart?
As for time of illness and weak
ness, while that is time for prayer, it
is certainly special time for praise
too. What comfort God gives you on
your bedl How many thoughts of
peace He sends youl
And, like the Psalmist, love the
Lord, not only when He shall have
delivered you from trouble, but also
whilo faith assures you that He hears
your voice and your supplications.
And let faith assure you of this. Be-
lieve that God does hear you, when
you pray in the name of Jesus. Then
yOu will praise God apart from ali
ifs or whens; and you will feel and say,
not only "How thankful / should be-"
but Chow thankful | ami