#136 – Thankfulness for God's Unspeakable Gift

Yesterday on The Morning Meditation, we saw Seven Wonderful Things from Titus 2:11-14. Are you in awe of the Grace of God? I am so thankful for all He has done for me. That brings us to today’s meditation.

THANKFULNESS FOR GOD’S UNSPEAKABLE GIFT

2 Cor. 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

The subject that surrounds this verse is giving. In chapter eight Paul is commending the churches of Macedonia for their giving of a special offering given to aid the poor saints in Jerusalem. He uses them as an example for the church at Corinth to follow. Then he talks again in chapter ten about missionary giving. So right in the midst of Paul’s teaching on giving he says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” Christ is the motive for all giving. Let’s look at this verse then derive some lessons that we can learn.

The word “Thanks” (charis) comes from a word that means “grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech.” There is a root word in the Greek (chairo) out of which a family of words come. Some of the meanings, without going in to detail, are, “to rejoice,” “joy,” “grace,” “to bestow a favor,” “gratitude, thanks,” “thanksgiving.” The word “thanks” has in its utterance and meaning an outburst of praise to God for the grace gift of His Son. So in this utterance there is an acknowledgment of the unworthiness of the one offering thanks. It is not possible to use this word without admitting this truth.

The words “unto God” bring us before His throne of grace: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. +4:16). God gives grace and gifts of grace because His throne is a throne of grace. I am afraid most Christians think when they come before God in prayer that there is a Lion on the throne. And if you think there is a Lion on the throne you can never be at ease. You are afraid that that Lion is going to roar and have you for a meal. Because in our hearts all of us know that God would be absolutely just to consume us on the spot. Another thing, if we believe there is a Lion on the throne, we want to become like that One on the throne. I ask you a question. Aren’t we supposed to become like God? Well, if he is a Lion ready to pounce on anything that comes near, he is to be dreaded and respected but not loved. But John says, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Rev. 5:6). There you have it. There is a Lamb in the midst of the throne. The Lamb has turned the throne of a Holy and Just God into a friendly, and loving meeting place of the saints and God. Excuse me! Someone hold my mules! I am literally overwhelmed at this thought. Paul says, “Thanks be unto God . . .”

The words, “for his unspeakable gift” introduces us to the reason for the ecstatic praise of God on this occasion. Notice it is “His” gift. We already knew this but sometimes it slips our minds. For God did so love the world that He gave His Only begotten Son to die on a cross for sinners like you and me. It is HIS gift. The word “unspeakable” (anekdiegetos) means according the Linguistic Key, “indescribable, not able to recount or to describe or to set forth in detail (Linski). God’s exquisite working cannot be fully described with human words (Windisch).” It would be foolish for me to attempt to describe what Paul said is indescribable. There has been times I have been so filled with a sense of praise over God’s indescribable blessing that I could utter that praise in no other way than just shouting “Glory to God! If someone were to have asked, “What’s going on?” I would have had to reply, “I can’t tell you. I am just overwhelmed at God’s goodness.” You see,