It is good to give Thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to the Most High
For many of us, Thanksgiving, is a day to gather with family and friends, to eat and to enjoy one anothers company. Perhaps you hadn’t seen them in sometime. Nevertheless, everyone is gathered around a table with a Turkey as a centerpiece and all the trimmings at its side. We offer a word of prayer. Some with heads bowed while others are looking at the food thinking let’s eat. A sincere prayer of gratitude to God for all His blessings before enjoying the food and fellowship. But what comes after the dessert? For some people, it’s a football game. Others start planning for Christmas shopping the next day. Although Thanksgiving always ends, our expressions of gratitude to God should continue throughout our daily lives.
Gratitude to God not only honors Him, but is good for us (Psalm 92:1).
In the Old Testament, God used the sacrificial system to teach His people to be grateful. When He established the Hebrews as a Nation, He gave them very specific and detailed instruction concerning His laws and sacrifices so they’d know how He wanted them to live. Through these ordinances, He taught them three important truths: (1) God is holy, (2) man is sinful, and (3) obedience is essential.
Thankfulness is expressed in a variety of ways, to name a few:
God chose us before the foundation of the world. We are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit. We are eternally secure. We have been given gifts of the Spirit. We have the peace of God in our hearts. The Lord loves us unconditionally. The Lord provides for our needs. We have His divine protection each day. We have the promise of a bodily resurrection. We have the blessing of God’s atonement though Christ and total forgiveness for our sins. We have an eternal home in heaven and the promise of the resurrection. We’ve been given the Word of God, the source of all knowledge and understanding.
True heartfelt, daily thanksgiving should have a powerful impact on our lives. This wonderful truth should result in a changed mindset and a true desire to obey the Lord. Thanksgiving is more than a Turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings. It’s what He has Already Done for us
Be Encouraged Today!
As you remember what you have in Christ Jesus
Supporting Scripture: Psalm9:1-5– Leviticus 22:29-33 – Psalm 50:23 – 2 Corinthians 5:1– Ephesians 1:13 – John 14:1-3 – 1 Peter 1:3-5 – Romans 8:38-9 – Philippians 4:19– John 10:28 –
