We are to always be in season of thankfulness to Yahweh for all He has done for each of us, and yet, I know that in those times when life is hard, that it can be very difficult to have a thankful spirit. My family has experienced many times where we did not “feel” like being thankful. It’s tough, but with Yahweh’s help, you can have a joyful and thankful spirit in all things. Being thankful is not just something you feel, but a way of thinking. We should not be thankful just when life is good and filled with blessings, but when it’s hard and filled with sorrows as well. Ephesians 5: 20 says we are to “Always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” That means for the hard, difficult, and sorrowful tings in life too!

This hymn expresses what I mean. It was written by a man, August Ludwig Storm in 1981 at the age of 29. He worked at the Salvation Army in Sweden and put this hymn in the organization’s periodical called The War Cry. Only 8 years after writing this hymn, August Storm Was stricken with a back problem that left him crippled. But he managed to continue his work there at the Salvation Army and through Yahweh’s grace, was able to have a thankful spirit even in his trial.

Thanks to My Redeemer

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost Provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Yahushua [Jesus] by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and dreary fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

It’s easy to thank Yahweh for the roses, but it’s much more difficult to thank Him for the thorns in our lives, which may be even more important than the roses. They not only protect the roses but protect us from reaching for what is not yet ready to be plucked. All in his perfect time. I pray you will be able to praise and thank Him for both the thorns AND the roses.

Yah’s blessings to you all this season!

Related Articles

• SP & Praise: Give Thanks Always (2)
• For ALL Yahveh’s People (0)
• SP&P – ADONAI is My Strength & Shield (2)