Give Thanks

Psalms 106:1  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.”  Psalm 100:1-5 “Make a joyful shout to the Lord all you lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God.  It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him and bless His name.”

Some years ago Redbook magazine carried an article about the way women ought to conduct themselves.  It was quite humorous considering what they said 50 years ago as opposed to today.  Someday it may be good sermon material.

But that for another day.  Here is another list compiled by several housewives for things which they were thankful.

            For automatic dish washers because they make it possible

            for us to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back

            in for their after dinner snacks.

 

            For husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house

            because they usually make them big enough to call in the

            professionals.

 

            For children who put away their things and clean up after

            themselves.  They’re such a joy.  You hate to see them go home

            to their parents.

 

            For teenagers because they give parents an opportunity to

            learn a second language.

 

            For smoke alarms because they let you know when the

            turkey is done.

 

Speaking of overdone turkey, according to Craig Boldman and Pete Matthews (authors of Every Excuse in the Book: 714 Ways to Say “It’s Not My Fault”), if you burn the Thanksgiving turkey, here are a dozen reasons to be thankful:

  1. Salmonella won’t be a concern.
  2. No one will overeat.
  3. Everyone will think it’s Cajun blackened.
  4. Uninvited guests will think twice next year.
  5. Your cheese-broccoli-lima-bean casserole will gain newly found appreciation.
  6. Pets won’t pester you for scraps.
  7. The smoke alarm was due for a test.
  8. Carving the bird will provide a good cardiovascular workout.
  9. After dinner, the guys can take the bird to the yard and play football.
  10. The less turkey Uncle George eats, the less likely he will be to walk around with his pants unbuttoned.
  11. You’ll get to the desserts quicker.
  12. You won’t have to face three weeks of turkey sandwiches.

 

Now our list might not be the same as theirs but I am convinced that if we began to make a list, we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than our material possessions. 

In our world when we live life so rushed, we tend to not reflect on the ordinary everyday blessings from God.

 

A hug from your kids going out the door to school.

A car that starts most of the time.

A bed to sleep in every night.

A furnace to warm us up this time of the year.

A cup of water any time we want it.

For some of you, a cup of coffee and a newspaper.  For others a Mountain Dew and newspaper.

                 

Well, with Jesus we have so much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day!  

We have His presence, His promises and His power available every single day that we live.  He is faithful and He is true. 

David says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts

with praise.  Be thankful to Him and bless His name.”

 

Elsewhere in a psalm of thanksgiving (C.16) he uses words like “good,” “secure,” “pleasant,” “delightful,” and “glad.” He speaks of fullness of joy and unending pleasures. He relishes his present life, and he expects an even better future. And what’s the key to it all? His trust and delight in his God.

 

David sees God as the Giver of every good thing, and as he goes on to speak of good things that God gives, David overflows with thanksgiving. The basis of our thanksgiving is not things, the basis of our thanksgiving is the unchanging Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

 

May throughout this month and following our song be, “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.