Thanks Living: VERY Grateful–but for what?

And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. Jonah 4:6

Prepared: be reckoned, assigned (a place), of servant of

Very: in magnitude and extent, in intensity

Grateful: be glad, joyful, rejoicing

If you know the story of Jonah, a lot took place before Jonah found himself sitting in the hot scorching sun. Jonah was given a Mission from God. Go tell the people of Nineveh to repent of their sins, or God will destroy the City. Jonah refused and ran in the opposite direction—ended up on a boat, then in the belly of a fish, then back on dry ground. Jonah finally obeyed and went to Nineveh. The people of Nineveh repented and God spared the City. Jonah as upset with this, and went out of the city to sulk and pout. It was hot, so God created a plant to give Jonah shade. Jonah was VERY grateful for the plant. But then God destroyed the plant and sent a very hot wind. Jonah become angry—the plant was now dead. Jonah cared more about the plant and his comfort than the entire City of Nineveh.

(Read the Story here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah+1&version=NKJV) 

Thanks Living means to first recognize that all things come from God. We are to be VERY grateful for all He give us. However, we also need to be VERY careful where we place our thanks. To be grateful for THINGS should not be greater than being thankful to God and doing His will. 

Thanks Living—VERY grateful—but for what? I first and foremost must be LIVING in God's Word and allowing God's Word to live in me and direct my thoughts, actions, attitudes and motivations. If God's Word is LIVING in me, then my THANKS LIVING will be directed to God, and not just the things He gives me. 

Thanks Living starts when I am obeying God and doing as He instructs—then my thanks, will be directed to God for all He provides.