Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks-giving means giving thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” So, why should we be grateful this Thanksgiving and what can we give to show our gratitude?

Thanksgiving Through Sacrifice and Praise

In the Old Testament, when the people still offered animal sacrifices to the Lord, they would often offer sacrifices of thanksgiving. Unlike sin offerings that were required for atonement, offerings of thanksgiving were to be given of their own freewill. They gave to the Lord because they were thankful for what He had given to them.

In addition to sacrifices of thanksgiving, they also praised Him with music and song.

It was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. When song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud. (2 Chronicles 5:13)

Here are just a few of the psalms (songs) that the people sang to the Lord in thanksgiving. In them they thanked Him for healing, salvation, abundance, protection, peace, and changed circumstances. They praised Him for His patience, favor, sovereignty, truth, mercy, goodness, righteousness, faithfulness, strength, justice, and understanding. They were thankful for His creation and preservation, for food and rain, and for animals and each other.

I will extol You, O Lord. For You have lifted me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning… Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me. Lord be my helper! You have turned for me my mourning into dancing. You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. To the end that my glory may sin praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30)

Has God lifted you up? Has He protected You? Has He healed your body or your broken heart? Has He exchanged your sadness for gladness? Has He been patient with you and shown you unconditional love?

O come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of earth, the height of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. (Psalm 95)

God is the great Ruler and Maker of all the earth. His creation is amazing and beautiful! Thank you God for Your wonderful creation!

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)

We are His greatest creation! Thank Him for your life. Thank Him for your family, friends, co-workers, and all the people in your life. Thank Him for His His goodness, mercy, and truth.