Give thanks in all circumstances.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18a NIV

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce. The table is loaded with food and surrounded by family and friends. But why do we give thanks? Because it is Thanksgiving Day, and this is our day to give thanks for our blessings.

The food and friends are wonderful, but we have so much more to be thankful for than these superb blessings. God’s greatest gift to us came in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

In Greek, the word for giving thanks is eucharisteo, which means “to give freely, to be thankful, to be grateful, to express gratitude.” During the second century, the Eucharist became the generic term for the Lord’s Supper. This word appears thirty-nine times in the New Testament, with eleven references involving the partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Twenty-eight times, it describes praise words given to the Godhead. An example of this can be found in Psalm 30:12.

And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

~1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

Thanksgiving multiplies our blessings. As we give thanks, we apply God’s Word to our lives. When Jesus fed the five thousand, we read, “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise the fish, as much as they wanted” (John 6:11 NKJV). All are fed, and they gather twelve baskets of leftovers—more than enough for everyone to fill their bellies and to share another meal later. Jesus makes a bounty of little. His prayer focuses the disciples on the importance of thanking God.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

~Psalm 30:12b NKJV

Giving thanks is integral to our relationship with the Lord. We should practice thanking God daily and remember His love, mercy, and grace. We can look for things to be thankful for, big and small blessings. I thank God for the sweet little bird that perches on my windowsill as I stand at the kitchen sink. I thank Him for the beautiful sunrise and the breath He gives each of us so we can have life.

God’s goodness surrounds us. Once we open our spiritual eyes, we will notice how much God blesses us. When we see a troubled world, it takes a heroic effort to remember the blessings that are ours, but they are there. We must decide to recognize them and thank God.

Whether your thanksgiving is turkey and stuffing or bread and fish, express your thanks to God for all He has given. Make every day a day of gratitude, not grumbling. We decide which it will be. Thank God for His many gifts. When you do, they become even sweeter as God’s goodness surrounds you.

Think of blessings you can share with someone who needs encouragement.

Heavenly Father, remind me daily to thank You with a heart full of gratitude for Your many blessings. Give me a desire to share my blessings and thankfulness with those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Why do we Give Thanks?: Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved