Then Jacob prayed, “O God… I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.”

- Genesis 32:9-10

When life is painful or unfair, we often ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” 

The question implies that we deserve better and that God should give us what we’ve earned. But that would be a foolish request. God doesn’t treat us as we deserve—he treats us immeasurably better. He gives us salvation, and everything beyond that is extra.

That truth is worth remembering at Thanksgiving. Like Jacob, it’s time for us to pause and acknowledge God’s bounty.

Jacob started with practically nothing when he left home—just the clothes on his back and a staff in his hand. When I left home, I had a 1980 Chevy Citation hatchback filled with clothes and a stereo system, but not much else. Still, it was more than Jacob had.

Our true beginning in this world came with nothing more than our skin and the life within it. As Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

Our very bodies are evidence of God’s generosity—by far the greatest physical gift he has ever given us.

Jacob’s wealth became enormous. To appease his estranged brother Esau, he sent a “gift” of 50 cattle, 220 goats, 220 sheep, 30 camels and 30 donkeys—worth roughly $150,000 in today’s terms. That was only a fraction of what he owned. For a man who once had only a walking stick, it was a moment to recognize how richly God had provided.

We may not feel wealthy compared to Jacob, but think about what we enjoy today that he could never have imagined. You can travel farther in an hour than Jacob could in days, in a vehicle that warms you in winter and cools you in summer, while playing music from a hundred-piece orchestra if you choose. You can eat food grown thousands of miles away. Your home stays warm, your chair is soft and you can watch a football game played miles away without leaving your living room.

These are just some of the many things we take for granted. Even if our income is modest, even if we rely on assistance to make ends meet, we still live surrounded by blessings beyond measure.

God has given us plenty. And in light of our bounty, let’s pause to acknowledge his kindness and faithfulness: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1) 

Nourish your faith in between Sundays by reading more of John’s writings at BitsOfBread.org. 

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