The old farmer, visiting a friend, noted that no one gave thanks before the meal. He could not resist his “needed” rebuke: “The only thing around our home that does not give thanks before a meal is the “hogs”.
I am certain I would have been a little more gracious than that, like: “May I have the privilege of thanking the Lord for your hospitality and food?”
We all should review the 107th Psalm; it reminds us of the things for which we might thank the Lord: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary and gathered from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.”
People can forget to offer THANKS because over time we all forget the benefits of our “location”. We grumble if it is too cold and grumble if it is too hot. We moan and complain if it snows or rains or the humidity is too high or it is too dry. The children of Israel did that and even moaned and groaned because they had to eat too much of the same food for too long. They did not enjoy the wilderness; they wanted “city life”. When God provided it, ere long they did not appreciate that either.
What does it take to make us “satisfied”? If you watch further in Psalm 107 you will note that God filled the hungry and thirsty soul but they remained unsatisfied. Some were “Prisoners in misery and chains” (v10) which led to rebellion against the words of God. (v11)
When we complain, spurn the counsel of the Most High, (v11) it was then that they finally cried out to the Lord who saved them out of all their trouble. Here again we receive instruction from God thru the Psalmist: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron asunder.” (v16)
Still they allowed themselves to complain. But they are reminded in this song: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of the distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving kindness, and His wonders to the sons of men!” (v19-21)
Again we read: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving-kindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! (21)
What a Psalm! Let us quit complaining and view the blessings that God has extended to us! GIVE THANKS!
ETCetera 