For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. – 1 Timothy 4:4
During the Thanksgiving season, some traditional hymns are often included in church worship, such as “This Is My Father’s World,” “All Creatures of our God and King,” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Another one you may sing is “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” This hymn was written by Cecil Frances Alexander, born in Ireland in 1818. Early on, she wrote poetry, some of which was published in her school’s journal. Later, married to Anglican minister William Alexander, who would become the chief bishop of Ireland, her poetry found its way into church hymns. She could have been inspired in part by today’s verse that declares everything God created is good.
At creation, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Some will argue that all that changed when sin entered the world, yet the wise King Solomon wrote, “Everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:13). Food and drink, what should and should not be consumed, was a hot topic in the early church as opinions differed widely among Jews and Gentiles.
In his commentary on today’s verse, theologian Albert Barnes wrote, ”It is good in its place; good for the purpose for which he made it. But it should not be inferred that a thing which is poisonous in its nature is good for food, because it is a creation of God. It is good only in its place, and for the ends for which he intended it. Nor should it be inferred that what God has made is necessarily good after it has been perverted by man. As God made it originally, it might have been used without injury.”
As with all of the good things God has provided to you, they are not for your personal use alone but are meant to be gratefully shared, always acknowledging that God is the blessed supplier of all good things. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). As you thank the Lord today for His blessings, meditate on Alexander’s conclusion, “He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, who hath made all things well.”
Today’s Verse: 1 Timothy 4:4
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-31
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29 I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
