The Giving of Thanks

Be Strong, Be Well — Thursday, November 26, 2020

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

When we live with an abundance of material and physical blessings, after a while there is a tendency to take them for granted and fail to acknowledge the source of such blessings.

The Psalmist asked, “What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? His answer, “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:12, 17).

As God’s children we should never miss a day, or even a moment, when we acknowledge with gratitude the bountiful blessings we receive from our Father in Heaven. James declared, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (1:17).

Everyday is Thanksgiving for those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. This should be the first on a long list of things for which we are grateful. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8).

Let’s pause for a few minutes today and think about all we have in this life, both physically and spiritually. May we rejoice and be thankful. Turn our hearts and minds toward heaven, and express our gratitude for His wonderful love and rich blessings.

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). —Chris