Thanksgiving means “giving thanks” to . . . ? The government? The Indians? Each other? To whom?
Psalm 100:3-5
“Know that the Lord Himself is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Thanks To God Proclaimed for Five Centuries in America
Pilgrim Leader, William Bradford – 1623
“The great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest, and has made the forest to abound with game and the sea with fish, and He has protected us from the Indians and has spared us from pestilence and disease and given us freedom to worship God – I proclaim a day to render thanksgiving to Almighty God for all His blessings.”
President George Washington – 1777
“Tomorrow being the day set apart for public Thanksgiving and Praise and duty calling us devoutly to express our grateful acknowledgements to God for the manifold blessings He has granted us.”
President Abraham Lincoln – 1863
“The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled the the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies…No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.”
President Ronald Reagan – 1986
“The practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow. We join with the Psalmist in praise, ‘Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good.'”
President Donald Trump – 2019
“As we gather today with those we hold dear, let us give thanks to Almighty God for the many blessings we enjoy. United together as one people, in gratitude for the freedoms and prosperity that thrive across our land, we acknowledge God as the source of all good gifts. We ask Him for protection and wisdom and for opportunities this Thanksgiving to share with others some measure of what we have so providentially received.”
Good reminders to be thankful.
There is no doubt that Almighty God deserves all the credit – the real question is; do we give it to Him?