Some might think I should have published this in time for Thanksgiving Day. But I purposely waited. Thanks is not something confined to one day a year. In fact, Thanksgiving Day isn’t even a biblical holiday; it began in America in 1621 with the Mayflower pilgrims who founded the Plymouth Colony. The Bible teaches that we should thank God every day of the year. Certainly nothing wrong with designating a day for giving thanks as a nation, but we must not limit it to that. In thinking about thanks, I surprised myself when I looked for a word study or topical study I had previously conducted. But I found nothing in my notes. I realized I had never done an in-depth study on thanks.
In the Old Testament Law, God stipulated five sacrificial offerings; One of these, the Peace Offering, was also called a Thanks Offering. We find numerous verses throughout the Old and New Testaments. When you sacrifice a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable (Lev 22:29 MSG). In Psalms: A THANKSGIVING PSALM. Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth! (Ps 100:1 NET). I will present my thank-offerings to you. For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling (Ps 56:12). Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish . . .But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:1, 9).
The New Testament continues with the theme of thanks seventy-one times. The Gospels record seven times Jesus gave thanks to the Father. When He fed the 5,000, Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks (Jn 6:11). Before raising Lazarus from the dead, So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me (Jn 11:41). At the Last Supper, when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them (Luk 22:19).
Several times during my ministry, I’ve heard people say, “I have nothing to thank God for. My life is dreadful, so why should I be thankful?” “I don’t feel like giving thanks.” My response was to remind them they were still breathing, it didn’t appear they were starving, and thanking Him would probably make them feel better. Paul gives one significant reason: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinth 9:15). Paul adds that we must still give thanks during challenging times. Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 5:20). Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16-18). Note the wording; Give thanks in all circumstances; it doesn’t say ‘for’ all circumstances but ‘in’ or during. We don’t thank God for evil, but give God thanks despite evil. Giving thanks honors God. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me (Ps 50:23). Thanks, show we trust the Holy Spirit.
Giving thanks can chase away anxiety. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Giving thanks can confuse our enemies and bring victory. An excellent example is when Moab, Ammon, and the Meunites came to make war against Jehoshaphat (2Ch 20:1). The Lord gave King Jehoshaphat an unusual military strategy. When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
As the Levites . . . marched ahead of the warriors, they sang: Give thanks to the Lord, for his loyal love endures. Judah giving thanks confused their enemies; why was Jehoshaphat’s army giving thanks to the Lord? When they began to shout and praise, the Lord suddenly attacked the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir. Fearing their coalition of three nations was betraying one another, The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir and annihilated them. When they had finished off the men of Seir, they attacked and destroyed one another (vv 21-25).
Keep in mind the difference between praise and thanksgiving. Praise is expressing our admiration for who God is, and thanksgiving is being grateful for what God gives us. Thanksgiving is tangible, and praise focuses on God’s character. Paul warns of the process of sin that leads God to give the wicked over to a depraved mind (Rom 1:28). But note where it began: So that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful (v20, 21). Have you given God thanks for something today? First, if for no other reason, I thank God I woke up this morning.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Enter His gates with thanksgiving (NASB) — Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him (Ps 100:4 MSG).
I gave a lot of Scripture; each one worth an individual study.