Thanksgiving – What does it mean to you?

Thanksgiving is a concept as old as civilization itself. Webster defines it as

the following: the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public
acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness.

As Christians, we acknowledge God’s goodness and provision in our expression

of thanksgiving. God’s Word implores us to give thanks to Him. Both Old and
New Testament books of the Bible encourage us to have an attitude of gratitude.
Psalm 50:14 tells us to, “Offer to God thanksgiving.” Psalm 95:2 says, “Let us
come before His presence with thanksgiving…” The Apostle Paul, in
Philippians 4:6 declares, “…in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We are to develop and
display a grateful heart.

Our expression of gratefulness to God is found in our praise of Who God IS.
He is El Elyon – The Most High. In Genesis 14, Melchizedek, King of Salem
blessed Abram and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High [El Elyon],
possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered
your enemies into your hand.” He is the omnipotent God, the one who rules
and reigns eternal. He is also Adonai – Lord, Master, and Owner. In Genesis
15, God told Abram he would be his shield and reward. Abram said, “O Lord
[Adonai], GOD [Jehovah], what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless?” God was
his Lord and Master of all things concerning him. The most sacred name for
God is Jehovah GOD (Yahweh). He is the all self-existent God who spoke
everything into being. In Exodus 3 we see the dialog between Moses and
Jehovah as follows: “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and later He
said, “The LORD [Jehovah], the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” Heartfelt thanksgiving
for Who God IS blesses us and blesses Him.

We don’t often display thankfulness for those closest to us. Family, friends and
co-workers can fall off the radar-screen when it comes to giving thanks. We all
but forget their worthiness of our expressions of gratefulness. I thank God for
my husband who is generous, devoted, trustworthy, and responsible. Thanking
God for our children, though not perfect, keeps them at the center of our
prayers and praises. Find a friend and thank them for their encouragement or
support during a difficult time. Your co-worker needs thanking for the kind
comment they shared at the last office meeting. Thank a stranger for their
service and dedication to their profession. Thank your pastor or lay-minister
for a message or bible study they shared. Thank your parents for their valuable
love and wisdom afforded you over the years. Express your thanksgiving in a
tangible way. Express it always and often in love.

Finally, thank Jesus for your salvation. If we had nothing else to be thankful for,
that would be sufficient. Oh, how we thank Him for rescuing us from certain
destruction and eternal doom. In II Corinthians 9:15 Paul says this, “Thanks be
to God for His indescribable gift!” May we continually strive to express that Gift
to all we meet.

Happy Thanksgiving and Blessings Abound Always and in All Things!