This week America is celebrating a national day of giving thanks, and that celebration will take many different forms. Likewise, there will be many different reasons for people to give thanks, and it is the Lord God of heaven who deserves those thanks. Family gatherings and watching football are often included in the celebrations, but there is no guarantee that the Lord will be included.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us in Psalm 107:1 to “Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” This is not really an option, especially when it comes to those who name the name of the Lord. But the truth of the matter is that there are some who see it as an option. Ephesians 5:20 tells us that God’s followers should be “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Unfortunately, there are some who do not consider some things to be worthy of thanks, but the verse says to give thanks in all things. In case there is any question, I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
An obvious way to give thanks to the Lord is to simply say, “Thank you, Lord.” Philippians 4:6 tells us that we can give thanks as a part of “making our requests known to the Lord.” This suggests that we can thank Him in advance that He will answer our request, and that He will do it in the very best possible way. Psalm 95:1 tells us that we can give thanks to the Lord by singing unto the Lord, or by making a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” God will not refuse our giving of thanks through singing even if we sing off-key, but since it may annoy someone else, we might want to avoid doing it in public.
Psalm 50:14 speaks about offering thanksgiving to God and paying our vows unto the Most High God.” People often make a vow to the Lord that if He will get them out of some kind of trouble, they will make a particular change in their lives. The verse is saying that if we make a vow, we need to keep that vow. We can certainly count on God to keep His promises, and He needs to be able to count on us to keep our promises. James 1:17 tells us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. He may be contacted at lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com
