Giving Thanks

Have you noticed how God used certain events to highlight His work?  The most appropriate time for Him to offer His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for sin was during Passover.  The New Testament gospel was first publicly preached on Pentecost, a time when devout Jews were gathered in Jerusalem.    There were days God created to accomplish His purpose, then there were other times He used established days to promote His will.
The New Testament does not place much emphasis on “special days”, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we shouldn’t take advantage of our surroundings to highlight our walk with God.  Take this week for example.  Thanksgiving is not a holy day to God, but it provides His people with a natural platform to praise and honor Him.  What better backdrop for the message of Christianity than when people are thinking about their blessings and expressing appreciation for what they have received. 
As we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday there are some things that we can do underscore the event in honor of God.  Here are three:
1)  Use language of praise and thanksgiving.  I think we have allowed other religious groups to limit our spiritual language.  To avoid appearing “charismatic” we tend to stay away from saying we are “blessed” or openly saying “Praise God!”.  For some of us, it might seem a little uncomfortable to use language of praise and thanksgiving, but let’s give it a try this week – who knows, we might like it!
2)  Offer prayers of thanksgiving.  Whether in our public or private prayers, let’s concentrate on giving God the glory for what is going on in our lives – the blessings and the challenges.  Whether we are praying in private, from a pulpit or around a dinner table (either at home or in a restaurant), let’s openly give thanks.
3)  Display an attitude of gratitude.   Do we smile and say “Thank You”?  Do we count our blessings?  As Christians and as Americans we are a blessed people, do we feel it?  Sure, we all experience challenges and disappointments, but each day is a gift from God to be dedicated to praising Him.  Whether in our prayers to our God or in our interactions with our fellow man, let’s focus on being thankful.
When King David participated in a day of giving thanks, he highlighted the event with these words: 
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.  Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.  Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.  Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.  Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! (I Chronicles 16:8-13)

As God’s chosen people, let’s echo these words throughout this national week of Thanksgiving!

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