- Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 136:1
- Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
- … always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; Ephesians 5:20
- Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalms 105:1
- Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalms 106:1
- Depending on the translation that you are using, the phrase “give thanks” appears around 85 times in the Bible.
- In addition, the words “thanks” or “thanksgiving” appear approximately 72 times.
- The Apostle Paul wrote about giving thanks at least 46 times.
- In the Psalms, the psalmists speak of giving thanks more than 30 times.
Why then would the scriptures have so much to say about giving thanks? I see 2 basic straightforward answers and if the first one is not reason enough, the second leaves no question –
- We have SO much to be thankful to Him for.
- The Father commands it.
When should we “give thanks?”
It doesn’t take but a quick review of the verse shared above to see the answer to this one.
- “in everything give thanks”
- “always giving thanks”
In other words, we are to give thanks all the time and in all circumstances.
What do we give thanks for?
- “His deeds among the people” – What you have seen Him do for you and those around you.
- His goodness and mercy
- For “all things” – His blessings and provision.
- For the struggles and hard times because they result in growth and the development of character.
I am sure by this point in your mind you are asking, :Gary what is the point of all these silly questions?”
The simple point is this, while I appreciate the time with family, the fun and all the wonderful foods that we get to enjoy on Thanksgiving, sometimes I think that we all, myself included, need a reminder that EVERYDAY should be “Thanksgiving Day.” In addition, we are to remember to give Him thanks for ALL things and in ALL circumstances. It is the heart that is filled with faith and gratitude in the midst of the storm that finds peace and contentment in the midst of the rain and winds.
Personally, I believe that the more I realize what I have to be thankful for and express that gratitude, the more that I will have to be thankful for. The fruit of gratitude is twofold. It produces more gratitude and second when we are thankful for what we have then the Lord blesses us with even more.
I hope and pray this finds you blessed with a home and heart filled with joy and gladness as you recognize the Thanksgiving holiday, but that it also stands as a reminder that “EVERYDAY is THANKSGIVING!”