Thanksgiving
In the Old Testament, we learn that one of the sacrifices to be offered was that of thanksgiving (see Leviticus 7 and 22) and that David assigned specific men to sing thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16). David wrote many songs and psalms of thanksgiving, which are recorded in 1 Chronicles and Psalms. Hezekiah encouraged the restoration of thanksgiving, as we note in 2 Chronicles. Such is also mentioned in Ezra, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Amos and Jonah. Thanksgiving was not limited to a set day in November.
In the Gospels, we see Christ Jesus both giving thanks and receiving thanks, being both fully God, thus rightly receiving thanks, and fully man, thus rightly giving thanks.
In Acts and in the epistles, thanks/thanksgiving continues to be highlighted.
Being thankful is to mark Christians, whatever circumstances they find themselves in. Romans 1:21 notes the unbeliever has these characteristics: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
How can Christians be thankful no matter what? It isn't an issue of pulling up one's socks emotionally or intentionally. It is an ongoing work of God in our hearts.
It reflects what Paul wrote here (1 Corinthians 15:57): "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," and here (2 Cornthians 2:14): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere," and here (2 Corinthians 9:15): "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"
Or in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving" (5:4) and this: "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:20).
Or his admonition to the Philippians: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (4:6).
And of course Paul's letters to the Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy also.
In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, John records more than one occasion of thanks being given.
Let me conclude this post with several passages from the Psalms:
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord. among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations" (57:9).
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever" (86:12).
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:1-3).
"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:26).
"All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth" (138:4).
"All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!" (145:10).
In the Gospels, we see Christ Jesus both giving thanks and receiving thanks, being both fully God, thus rightly receiving thanks, and fully man, thus rightly giving thanks.
In Acts and in the epistles, thanks/thanksgiving continues to be highlighted.
Being thankful is to mark Christians, whatever circumstances they find themselves in. Romans 1:21 notes the unbeliever has these characteristics: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
How can Christians be thankful no matter what? It isn't an issue of pulling up one's socks emotionally or intentionally. It is an ongoing work of God in our hearts.
It reflects what Paul wrote here (1 Corinthians 15:57): "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," and here (2 Cornthians 2:14): "But thanks be to God, who in Christ Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere," and here (2 Corinthians 9:15): "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"
Or in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving" (5:4) and this: "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:20).
Or his admonition to the Philippians: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (4:6).
And of course Paul's letters to the Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy also.
In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, John records more than one occasion of thanks being given.
Let me conclude this post with several passages from the Psalms:
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord. among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations" (57:9).
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever" (86:12).
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:1-3).
"Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever" (136:26).
"All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth" (138:4).
"All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!" (145:10).
posted by Ebeth | 8:03 AM
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