Thanksgiving can be a beautiful word in a person’s vocabulary. The dictionary defines thanksgiving as ‘the expression of gratitude, especially to God.’ How nice to hear these words of gratitude; “Thank you” or “I appreciate it,” when a gift is given to someone or a favor is done for someone.
In the United States, “Thanksgiving Day” is an annual national holiday celebrated by family members and others as they gather together to eat and enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal, which traditionally consists of turkey, with the stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberries, and various types of pies for dessert.
In 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November as “Thanksgiving Day.” In general, Thanksgiving Day has a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans. How many people are truly thankful and for what reasons can be anybody’s guess. However, it is an excellent idea to give thanks for any reason one may have in doing so.
The Bible teaches that it is God’s will for us to give thanks. The text says. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Giving thanks should be an ongoing practice in the Christian experience. The text doesn’t give an option to choose what we should be thankful for. It specifically states “in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Psalm 92:1 says, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, Most High.” Since thanksgiving means gratefully acknowledging and expressing gratitude to the giver or source of kindness for benefits received; failure to give God thanks amounts to ingratitude. When a person does not honor God, neither will that person give thanks to Him. God has declared “For those who honor me I will honor.” (1 Samuel 2:30).
There are numerous things Christians can be, and should be thankful to God for. First, the Bible says, “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The text is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who has provided salvation for the world. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
The question may arise; how do I give thanks to God? The best and surest way is through prayer. Here are instances and answers:-
“Blessed be the Lord. Who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19 NKJV). We should never take the goodness and kindness of the Lord for granted. Consider even the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, clothing, and then some. God is our provider all the days of our lives.
“Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15 NKJV). “The sacrifice of praise to God is offered to God through the Lord Jesus. All our praise and prayer passes through Him before it reaches God the Father; our great High Priest removes all impurities and adds His own virtue to it” (William MacDonald).
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8 NKJV). We should give thanks to the LORD continually for His immeasurable love, great care, and blessings He bestows on us. We can certainly praise the Lord for what He means to us in life. Praise Him for what He has done in the past; praise Him for what He is doing in the present; and trust Him for what He will yet do for us in the future, which He alone controls.
“What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:12,13 NKJV). First of all, we can never repay the Lord for all His benefits. His great mercy is free, and His amazing grace is also free. Salvation is ”the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). However, to take up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the LORD is to express our heartfelt gratitude and praise to the Lord for our salvation. A salvation that only the Lord Himself could provide to save us from a lost eternity, and also to live in peace with God.
May we also remember to give God thanks as Sovereign Creator of the universe and that He is from everlasting to everlasting. “Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes they will grow old like garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end” (Psalm 102:25-27 NKJV).
Thanksgiving should not only be a one day event. Let us endeavor to make each day a thanksgiving day, because we are alive and breathing. For the Christian — no matter the circumstances — we give thanks always to God. And especially as “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to all.