With Grateful Thanksgiving to God
With Grateful Thanksgiving to God
By Pastor John Dawson
In times past, the government was more sensitive to the nation’s position before Almighty God. In times of great trial, the governors would call for a day of fasting and humility. In times of great blessing, they would proclaim a day of thanksgiving. These were events called periodically, depending on the situation. Our government will call for a day of solemn observance when tragedies happen. Flags are lowered to half mast, but less often is there a call to prayer, fasting and humility before the Lord God. Our president does set aside a day of thanksgiving each year, but it is not for a specific act of God’s kindness. Most people see the Thanksgiving holiday not so much as a time to thank God for specific blessings, but as a day or two off work that is their right. As God’s people, we are commanded to be thankful. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Here are some thoughts on how we can give proper thanks to God for his blessings on the Thanksgiving holiday.
Remember that we have much to be thankful for. Do not take your health, strength, family, safety, support, etc., for granted. One exercise around the table is to have each person say what they are thankful for. One person reminds others of things for which all of us should give thanks. But more important than thinking of the things we are thankful for is thinking of the one we are thankful to. It is the Lord who supplies all of our needs according to his riches in glory, and according to his kind providence. One sad irony in much of the secular observance of Thanksgiving holiday is that they may only be thankful for things without really giving attention to be thankful to God, from whom all blessings flow. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17). Our hearts and minds must be filled with a thanksgiving to God.
We can also learn about how to give thanksgiving from examples in the scriptures. The feast of Booths (or Sukkot) was held yearly by the people of Israel around the time of the harvest. The booths were made to remind the people of several things. First, it reminded them of the time when Israel had left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness in tents. That was a time of scarcity, but the Lord provided for them with water, manna, and quail. This can also remind us that we can be thankful even in times of scarcity because the Lord provides for us. The booths also would remind the people of the temporary shelter the harvesters would stay in during reaping and gathering in of the crops. City dwellers who are farther removed from the actual gathering of the harvest should be reminded of how the food gets to them.
The feast of Booths would have times of feasting and celebrating with family, but it was also a time to welcome in the stranger, and those who did not have as much to celebrate with. Thanksgiving is not a time to wall off the world and count our coins like Ebenezer Scrooge. It is a day to be thankful for the blessings and to share them with others. Nabal snubbed David (who had two reasons for expecting to be included in the bounty of the harvest (1 Samuel 25). The judgement of God came on Nabal. The scriptures prescribed setting aside portions for those who did not have any. God’s people give thanks together to the God who sustains them.
The feast of Booths is celebrated for seven days. Modern celebrations include a welcome for a different historic guest each day: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph, and David. This connects them, not only to others in the present community but also those who are part of their spiritual heritage. Our Thanksgiving holiday is very close to a Church holiday of All Saints, where we give thanks for those who are part of our spiritual heritage. We can be thankful for the saints who have gone to be with the Lord for we are part of the same Body of Christ.
This leads to the things that we should be most thankful for—our salvation in Christ. The Israelites who celebrated the feast of Booths had sacrifices to the Lord. It was not just a celebration of physical blessings, but also of spiritual blessings. When you count your blessings, keep those in the front of your mind. Turkey and pumpkin pie are things to look forward to, but much more do we give thanks for our time with family and friends. What should be under and through all our gratefulness is the thanks we give for our spiritual blessings in Christ. We have been forgiven. We have answered prayer. We have an eternal home where the thanksgiving before our God will never end. Remember this when you gather to give thanks.
With thanks for you all,
Pastor John