Over the years I’ve written several stories and poems about Thanksgiving; some funny and some nostalgic and some spiritual. We all know why Thanksgiving is a holiday and the history behind it such as the story of the Pilgrims and Indians so what can I say about Thanksgiving that’s different? We’ve heard all the sermons about a thankful heart and to give thanks in all circumstances. Why is it so important to understand scripturally what thanksgiving means?
In the NKJ version of the Bible, the word ‘thanksgiving’ is used 31 times and ‘give thanks’ is used 75 times. The number of uses seems to give these words a great deal of importance. Why should we be so thankful when there are times that nothing seems to work out, nor we see God’s hand in action in our lives.
First of all, we need to be thankful for all the amazing things God has created and all the things he has done; even giving life to us humans. Psalm 26:7 says, “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works.” Where would we be without the sun and the moon; the oceans, lakes and rivers; the green fields to grow food; the animals and birds; the fish of the sea? These are the physical things to give thanks for. Also included in His wondrous works are spiritual things such as salvation and eternal life; the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galations 5:22-23
Secondly, Psalm 97:12 “Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” This scripture is very interesting because it tells the believer (righteous) that when we remember the Lord, which should be quite often, we should give thanks! As a believer, I think about the Lord all through the day, but don’t always say ‘thank you, Lord’ when I do think of Him. And yet the bible clearly states that we should. I have a feeling if we did that; we would receive a great blessing as well as a closer walk with Him – the Lover of our soul.
Thirdly , when we have a great need we must call out to God, the Father in prayer and supplication, which most Christians do. However there is one key we may omit in these prayers.
Phil 4: 6 tells us what that key is, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We may be desperate in giving God our requests, but how often do we approach Him with thanksgiving at these times. How often do we become so involved ours or someone else’s troubles that thanksgiving never enters the picture.
Fourthly, we must be thankful to God even when facing death because we love God more than ourselves, like Daniel did. Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem
Daniel just received the news that anyone found praying to God rather than King Darius would be thrown to the lions. Was Daniel just trying to be a martyr? No, he trusted our heavenly Father and gave him thanks whether or not he survived. Give me that kind of courage, Lord, to give thanks and rejoice in God, the Father in times of facing illness or death. That is the mark of a true Believer.
So this Thanksgiving Day, when we set down to an abundant table with family and friends, let our Thanksgiving not be just for the food, but for all God has done for us from the beginning. Be thankful for His Word [The Bible], because in it you will find everything and every answer to life’s problems.
This song puts it so well: “Give Thanks”
Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.
Give thanks
Give thanks
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