One of the most beautiful words we can think of is the word “thanksgiving.” It implies gratitude, appreciation, and thoughtfulness.
Christians ought always to be thankful to God for Salvation provided in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He accomplished for all mankind through His sacrificial death and shed blood on the cross.
The Scripture says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This means that every person, regardless of ethnicity and background, has fallen short of God’s holy, righteous, and perfect standard because of sin. As a result, mankind became separated from God’s glory.
However, everyone can be “justified by [God’s] grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
Here in the United States, the fourth Thursday in November is designated as “Thanksgiving Day,” which is also a public holiday. Everyone can celebrate this day however they choose.
As Christians, many of us utilize the season to render thanks to Almighty God for His bountiful goodness and mercy each day of our lives. One verse of an ancient hymn goes like this, “When all Thy mercies, O, my God, my rising soul surveys. Transported in the view I’m lost in wonder, love, and praise.”
The Bible sets forth the “what” and “why” of giving praise and thanks to God, the Sovereign Creator of the universe. Psalm 100 (also known as “Old 100th”) is a Psalm of gladness and thanksgiving to the God of heaven. This Psalm is also considered a “doxology” of praise and worship to Almighty God for His faithfulness to His people. It is also expressed as a “hallelujah chorus” by the Christian churches.
Psalm 100 verse 1 states: “Make a joyful shout to the LORD all you lands!” This is because Christians are a “rejoicing people,” who make a joyful shout to the LORD as a natural exercise coming from worshipful hearts with a cheerful spirit. This brings to mind the beautiful thanksgiving hymn mentioned below:
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His earth rejoices”
(Martin Rinkhart, 1586-1649).
It means that God’s people everywhere are capable of honoring Him with a joyful shout of thanksgiving and praise.
Verse 2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.” God’s true worshippers recognize the importance of serving the LORD with gladness of heart and willingness of spirit, counting it a joy and an honor in doing so.
Verse 3 says, “Know that the LORD, He is God. He it is who made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” God’s people are conscious of who He is, what He means to them, And good reasons to acknowledge it. God is our Creator and the source of our existence, and our wellbeing. The Bible says, “It is in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts17:28). God is also our great Shepherd and we are His flock, hence we look to Him for protection, help, guidance, and direction in our lives to bear fruit for His glory.
Verse 4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.” Here is a wonderful invitation of grandeur, and inspiration from the awe-inspiring God.
Verse 5 says, “For the LORD is good.” Embedded in the summary of this beautiful Psalm are some of God’s great attributes, such as His loving-kindness, great mercy, love, amazing grace, faithfulness, and forgiveness, just to identify a few.
We should always be thankful to God not only on Thanksgiving Day but every day, for his love is everlasting and His mercy endures throughout all generations. Let thankfulness be unconfined.
May everyone enjoy a great and blessed Thanksgiving.