Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday observed in the United States. The occasion is celebrated as family members gather together to eat and enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal, traditionally consisting of roast turkey, turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberries, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
In 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving Day has a special place in the hearts and minds of Americans in general. 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.
Thanksgiving is a beautiful word in any language. For the Christian, the Bible teaches that it is God’s will for us to give thanks. “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 attitude in the Christian experience. In the context there is no room to pick and choose what we should give thanks for. It specifically states “in all circumstances.”
Taken in context, the Apostle Paul also says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes. 5:16-18).
Three essential aspects of the Christian life and practice are mentioned here. The first is to “rejoice always.” The second is to “pray without ceasing.” And the third is to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
Christians should always be rejoicing, especially in appreciation for our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are not rejoicing, something is wrong. To rejoice means having a feeling of great pleasure and delight about something.
Paul was a joyful person no matter his circumstances. And he had many. For instance, while incarcerated in prison, he wrote the letter to the Ephesians in which he stated that they should be “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20). Paul certainly practiced what he preached.
1. Rejoice always. Some may argue how can they rejoice always when there is so much gloom and uncertainty around. Admittedly, this is not easy. However, we must trust in the Lord and never despair, because He “is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). The Lord will help, guide, and see you through by making a way where there seems to be no way out. Keep on trusting in the Lord and never give in or give up.
Rejoicing always and giving thanks in all circumstances goes together and is a distinct characteristic in any true Christian. Let us allow a spirit of gratitude to fill our hearts to the overflow.
2. Pray without ceasing. God is fully aware of every detail of our lives. Everything lies clear and open before Him. But God’s way is through prayer. Hence, we are to pray without ceasing. We commune with God through prayer. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16). Prayer is absolutely essential to a life that pleases God.
3. Give thanks in all circumstances. First of all, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD.” (Psalm 92:1). Giving thanks means gratefully acknowledging and expressing gratitude to the giver or source of kindness and for benefits received. Failure to give God thanks amounts to ingratitude. If a person is not honoring God neither will that person give thanks to Him. God has declared “For those who honor me I will honor.” (1 Samuel 2:30).
Perhaps some people may be fine with giving thanks generally. But not “in all circumstances” as the Scripture exhorts. For Christians, “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” This means God approves that we give thanks in all circumstances. King David who wrote Psalm 9, said, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Note the words, “with my whole heart.” I take it David included “in all circumstances.” Remember, he was a man after God’s heart. (Acts 13:22).
“These three good habits have been called the standing order of the church.” Writes William MacDonald. “They represent the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. The words in Christ Jesus remind us that He taught us these things during His earthly ministry and He was the living embodiment of what He taught. By teaching and example, He revealed to us God’s will concerning joy, prayer, and thanksgiving.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 2043).
Thanksgiving should not only be a one day event. Each day should be thanksgiving because of the fact that we are alive and breathing. However, for the Christian — no matter the circumstances — we give thanks always. 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). Happy Thanksgiving to all.