Book 3, Chapter 22: Of the Recollection of God’s Many Benefits.
Chapter Focus: Thomas takes us to a submissive posture in order for us to give thanks to Almighty God for all of the gifts He showers on us as His children. From sustenance to grace; from resting to speaking in tongues, in all ways He showers His mercy on us as we humble ourselves and seek Him in His laws (Matt 5:17-18).
And how do we do that? Here’s a checklist – these are additive.
1., pray. Pray to open your heart to God’s law.
2., recognize that everything is a gift from God.
3., learn that even in the embarrassment of riches He bestows on us, that envy can interfere with your thankfulness when you receive “lesser” gifts than others.
4., you will realize a more healthy body and mind if you learn to not be attached to things.
5., realize that living in God’s will is its own reward.
This will bring you joy.
Here’s the formula: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = JOYnth%
Chapter 22, In Short.
1. Lord, open my heart to Your law, and teach me to walk in the way of Your commandments.
2. All things which we have in the soul and in the body are Your good gifts.
3. The disciple with fewer gifts ought not to be cast down, but rather look up to You.
4. Reckon it a great benefit to not have many things.
5. Nothing ought to give joy to the disciple as the intentional living-out of Your will.
Scripture Memory Prayer: “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
Or “In Him we were also chosen….” (Ephesians 1: 11-12)
Question: What are the benefits that God has visited upon you?
Key Quote: All things come from You; therefore in all things shall you be praised.
The Text of Chapter 22: Of the Recollection of God’s Manifold Benefits.
Lord, open my heart to Your law and teach me to walk in the way of Your commandments. Grant me to understand Your will and to be mindful of Your benefits, both general and special, with great reverence and diligent meditation, that in this I may be able worthily to give You thanks. Yet I know and confess that I cannot render You all the praises due to You for the least of Your mercies. I am less than the least of all the good things which You gave me; and when I consider Your majesty, my spirit fails because of Your greatness.
2. All things which we have in the soul and in the body, are Your good gifts and whatever else we possess, whether outwardly or inwardly, naturally or supernaturally, prove that You, from whom we have received them all, are good, and gentle, and kind. Although one receives many things, and another fewer, yet all are Yours, and without Yet not even the least of things can be possessed. Whoever has received greater cannot boast that it is because of merit, nor can that disciple be elevated above others, nor condemn those who are lower; for whoever is the greater and the better is the one who claims the least place, and in giving thanks is the humbler and more devout; and whoever holds himself to be lower than all, and judges himself to be the more unworthy, is the more apt for receiving greater things.
3. But the disciple who has received fewer gifts, ought not to be cast down, nor to take it amiss, nor to envy those who are richer; but rather ought to up look to You, and to greatly extol Your goodness, for You pour forth Your gifts so richly, so freely and largely, without respect of persons. All things come from You; therefore in all things shall you be praised. You know what is best to be given to each; and why this one has less, and that one more. This is not for us but for You to understand, for to You each man’s rewards are fully known.
4. So accordingly, O Lord God, I see it as a great benefit, not to have many things. In this way, praise and glory may appear outwardly, and not be attributed to us. For so it is that whoever considers poverty and vileness, ought not only to draw no grief or sorrow, or sadness of spirit from their condition, but rather draw comfort and cheerfulness; because You, Lord, have chosen the poor and humble, and those who are poor in this world, to be Your friends and acquaintances (Eph 1:11). So give all Your apostles witness whom You have made princes in all lands. Yet they had their conversation in this world blameless, so humble and meek, without any malice or deceit, that they even rejoiced to suffer rebukes for Your Name’s sake (Acts 5:41), and what things the world hates, they embraced with great joy.
5. Nothing, therefore, ought to give so much joy to the disciple who loves You and knows Your benefits, as intentionally living out Your will and the enjoyment of Your eternal Providence.
A disciple ought to be so contented and comforted with these as to willingly be the least as any other would be the greatest; as peaceable and contented in the lowest place as in the highest, and as willingly held of small or no account and of no name or reputation, as to be more honorable and greater in the world than others.
For Your will and the love of Your honor ought to take priority before all things, and to please and comfort you more, than all benefits that are given.