We have so much to be thankful for, but do we truly give thanks to God for his many blessings? Instead of giving glory to God for his provision, the children of Israel became arrogant and selfish. Read more from The Swindoll Study Bible on the importance of living a life of humble thankfulness:

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations, but she has rebelled against my regulations and decrees and has been even more wicked than the surrounding nations. She has refused to obey the regulations and decrees I gave her to follow.” Ezekiel 5:5-6, NLT

God bestowed upon His people privilege, safety, and wealth. But instead of glorifying Him, the people became arrogant. God loathes self-exaltation. Therefore, we must be mindful of our need for humility in times of plenty and ease. We must acknowledge the goodness of God during times of prosperity. Every good gift comes from Him (Jas. 1:17). In Him, we have everything; without Him, we could not exist. We cannot comprehend—cannot even begin to fathom—the depths of the mercy, forgiveness, sacrificial love, and safety wrapped up in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. God is lovely and cannot commune with ugliness. The intent and actions of humankind are soiled and heavy with self-importance. It’s wise to remember that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5).

For more of Chuck’s Bible study notes, check out the Swindoll Study Bible, winner of the 2018 Christian Book Award for Bible of the Year!