A few years ago, there was a TV ad for an antacid that relieved stomach indigestion. The question was posed, “How do you spell ‘relief ‘?” and the answer was, “R-O-L-A-I-D-S !” So in the same vein, I ask, “How do you spell ‘Thanksgiving’?” Well, let’s take a closer look at giving thanks.
Everyone Should Give Thanks
In the Old Testament book of First Chronicles, we read about King David giving thanks for God’s wonderful deeds. “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done . . . Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised . . . O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
The Old Testament prophet, Daniel, proclaimed his thanks for God’s wisdom. “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. And it is He who changes the times and epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells in Him. To Thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee.”
In like manner, the prophet, Jonah gave thanks for God’s salvation. “I called out of my distress to the LORD, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; Thou did hear my voice. . . Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me. Weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains. . . But Thou has brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. While I was fainting away, I remembered the LORD; and my prayer came to Thee . . . I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will repay. Salvation is from the LORD.”
One of the ten lepers thanked Jesus for healing in Luke 17. “And it came about while Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, that He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten leprous men, who stood at a distance; and they raised their voices saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ And when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And it came about that as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks to Him.”
When Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus gave thanks to God the Father for hearing Him in John chapter 11. “And so they removed the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank Thee that Thou heard Me. And I knew that Thou hears Me always; but because of the people standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou did send Me.’ And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.'”
GIVE THANKS FOR GOD’S COMPLETE PROVISION; PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. . . Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” II Corinth. 9: 10-12, 15
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinth. 15:56-57
GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thes. 5:18
“Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.” Eph. 5:20
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Col. 3:17
GIVE THANKS WITH PRAISE
“I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Psa. 69:30
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night.” Psa. 92:1-2
“O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psa. 95″1-3
“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 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 into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations.” Psa. 100
GIVE THANKS AT ALL TIMES
“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Heb. 13:15