By Beverly Criswell

Printed In Focus, Nov. 1984

Corn is a vital source of food for America today, as it was for our forefathers. We eat many things made from corn, such as cornbread, corn meal mush, creamed corn, corn on the cob, and many others.

Today we are going to use an ear of corn to impart some spiritual food for thought on our gratitude and thankfulness to God.

Our first grain of corn represents our gratefulness to God for our PROSPERITY. If we look to the Lord for all things, then we will have our needs provided. In I Corinthians, Paul wrote, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." In Philippians, Paul tells us, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Isn't that exciting? My needs will be supplied, not by my riches, but according to His riches in glory.

The second grain of corn reminds us to be grateful for PEACE. There are two kinds of peace: social and spiritual. Both are important in our lives. Social peace is possible only when our ways please God. Spiritual peace is very important to each of us, for without it we can have no joy for the future. It is something that we cannot understand, but that's not necessary in order for us to obtain it. Paul tells us, "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus…Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:7,9).

The third grain of corn reminds us to be grateful for JESUS CHRIST. God tells us not to boast about what we are going to do tomorrow, because we don't know what will happen tomorrow. We must always seek God's will for our tomorrows. In this world of ever-changing times, our lives are in turmoil from one day to another. It's good to know that there is something that never changes: That is Jesus Christ. He is "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8).