November 8:
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in
Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His
knowledge in every place. – 2 Corinthians 2:14
Have you ever walked by a lilac bush in full bloom and
caught the scent on the wind? Have you ever toured a rose
garden, where all of the roses are bloomed out and
fragrant? Maybe you remember an early summer day,
when you were young and the fragrance of the honeysuckle
enticed you to pick the flowers and drink of the nectar.
I love the image Paul paints in this verse in 2 Corinthians.
The knowledge of God is a fragrant aroma, blown about the
world in the life of thanksgiving demonstrated by his
children. If you have ever experienced anything close to
what I described above (lilacs, roses and honeysuckle), you
can understand the image.
The foundation of this “diffusing” is the wind of
thanksgiving. Like the breath of wind diffuses the
fragrances of flowers, or good cooking, our thanksgiving
motivated by our love for our God diffuses the knowledge
of God to the world and to one another.
So, what are we thankful for today? Read the verse again.
The glorious victory (triumph) that God has given us
through His Son, Jesus, is our reason for living…and our
reason to be thankful. Of course, that depends on us
following his leadership, as indicated in the verse. He leads
us in triumph. Oh, the glorious thought. When we walk in
step with God, we have no reason to fear, no reason to fall,
and no chance of defeat. I cannot help but praise and thank
Him in light of that. Can you? Give Thanks!