Rendering Thanksgiving for God's Blessings to all the Children of Men

These thoughts were prompted by the passing away of renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, one of the greatest physicians of the last century.

The world fails to appreciate the goodness of God to all mankind. Jesus pointed out that God causes it to rain upon the unjust as well as the just. God gives good gifts to those who hate and reject Him, as well as to those who call upon Him.

Even believers are inclined to forget that every good gift comes from God. All the surgeons, all the inventions, all the medicines, all the advances in agriculture and construction and transportation - all those come from the beneficence of God to lighten the heavy load imposed upon us by sin and the Fall.

Jesus instructed us to pray for our daily bread - not to take even the most ordinary blessing for granted, but to acknowledge that God provides them day by day.

When we hear of the passing away of a great man like Dr. DeBakey, we ought to lift our hearts to God in thanksgiving that such a blessing was given to mankind. So many lives are saved because God raised up in His mercy a person with skill and drive and courage to pioneer life-saving procedures.

All this God does even for men who hate Him and never call upon Him. But He has ordained and prepared the supreme gift for those who cry out to Him for salvation: rescue from sin and death, and eternal life.

And He has raised up a Man - the second Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, to perfect and deliver this greatest gift to those He loves!

Dr. DeBakey's work was temporary - in the end, every heart quits.

But the work Jesus wrought out at Calvary is everlasting and perfect and glorious! Hallelujah!