Thanksgiving

Today is Monday, so it is three days until Thanksgiving. Like most other people, I have my grocery list and menu planned. I've been thinking about what I should make ahead of time, and what must be done the day of our gathering together. I'm looking forward to seeing my son, daughter-in-love, and three of my granddaughters. I'm sad that my grandson can't come because he has to work. It's a busy hectic time, but as we focus on the excitement, and for some of us the gluttony, we need to take a step back and think about the significance of a day set aside to give thanks. What should be be thankful for, not just when sit down to eat a feast, but every day, every hour, every minute. 

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 4 I always thank my God for you because of God’s grace given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that by Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge.

We should be thankful that God in His grace sent Jesus to carry our sin to the cross as the perfect sacrifice to provide us forgiveness. The gravy on the dressing and the icing on the cake is that because of His sacrifice, we are enriched in everything. Every aspect of our lives is better because of Him. He guides our words and fills us with the knowledge necessary for growing closer to Him in thanksgiving.

I Corinthians 15:56-58 Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

We are thankful because Jesus freed us from slavery to sin. We live victoriously, no matter what our circumstances, because He is the One who gives us victory. We are thankful that we can be steadfast because He is completely steadfast. We are thankful because in Him we are not moved, thrown around by our situations, fears, or trials. We are thankful because He empowers to do whatever work He has called us to do for His glory. We are thankful because we know that the labor we do as a result of His work in us is not in vain. It is profitable even when we don't see the results. God does.

Philippians 1:3-4 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

We are thankful for the people who were instrumental in our lives, pointing us to the salvation that God provides for us. We are thankful for other believers who have encouraged us to walk closer with God. We are thankful for the comfort others have provided when we were in need. We are thankful for those who pray for us. We are thankful for those we have guided toward Christ. We are thankful for those He has allowed us to mentor and disciple. We are thankful when we remember all those people.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We are thankful for everything. Not just the things we think are pleasant. Everything. 

1 Timothy 1:12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—

We are thankful for the strength that God gives us to do the ministry He has called us to do

Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to You, God; we give thanks to You, for Your name is near. People tell about Your wonderful works.

We are thankful because God is nearby. His name, which signifies the All of Who He IS, is near because His Holy Spirit lives in us. 

Psalm 100 Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness.

come before Him with joyful songs. 3 Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His —His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5 For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

We are thankful because God is God, the One who created us. We are thankful because we belong to Him. We are thankful to be His sheep and that He is our all-knowing, all-loving, always-present Shepherd. We are thankful because He is amazingly good, perfect, holy. We are thankful that He loves faithfully, sacrificially, forgivingly, indescribably. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's not as commercialized as others. It does make me sad when people call it "Turkey Day" or have "Friendsgiving." It's Thanksgiving no matter what we eat or who sits at our table with us.  As you buy your groceries, cook, and eat, remember that we are thankful for all this and more because of Who God IS. 

Happy THANKSGIVING DAY.