“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin” (Luke 15:9)
“It’s the happiest place on earth!”
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
“It’s a wonderful life!”
Whether it’s ads promoting Disneyland, Christmas sales, or a classic holiday movie, some find it impossible to believe the hype. Somewhere amid the hustle and bustle of activities from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, joy is missing in action as some deal with loneliness, chronic illness and pain, estrangement from family, financial stress and loss. What’s there to be thankful for? For those who are Christians, we can counter feelings of anxiety or depression by remembering Who—not what—is the source of our joy. Ps.30:11 says, “You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.”
I recently came across a reference to thanksgiving as a coin and was reminded of the parable of the lost coin in Luke 15. Sometimes circumstances cause us to lose our gratitude and it requires a thorough search to find it again. But like the woman in the parable, once the coin is found, it not only brings her joy, but the celebration extends to others.
In my own search, I would first look up, remembering my help comes from the Lord who so graciously has provided salvation as well as meeting all my needs. Thank You, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. When I look down, I see the stumbling blocks and pitfalls that might have injured me if the Good Shepherd had not guided me around them. Thank you, Yahweh Roi. As I look around, I am reminded of the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding me (Heb.12:1) and am thankful for those who have gone before me as examples of perseverance in the faith. Thank you, Yahweh Shammah that I am not alone. A look behind me reveals all the past hurts from which I have been healed—financially, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Thank you, Jehovah Rophe. Finally, I look ahead with the coin of thanks held tightly in my hand and in my heart. On this Thanksgiving Day, like the widow who put her coins into the treasury, I bring my coin of thanks to the Father, and I am at peace. I know my future is safe in Your hands. I am thankful, Yahweh Shalom, for I have been guided by Your Holy Spirit to the secret of Your presence.
My search for the lost coin of thanks has shown me that it is through praise and thanksgiving that I enter the very presence of God. Ps. 100:4-5 extended the invitation long ago to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” The coin entrusted to me belongs to Him. I surrender it gladly.