Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving and Always

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”  Psalm 118:28-29

il_570xN_810422249_ai3vAs Christians, thanksgiving should resonate within us because God by His Spirit has called us to be a thankful people.  The more we grow in Christ and trust in His ways, the more we grow with a grateful heart and give God thanks in all circumstances.  Everyday is Thanksgiving for a believer in Christ.  The Psalmist had this in mind when He cried out, “You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God and I will exalt you.” 

The Apostle Paul had the same thing in mind in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

It is God’s will for Christians to give thanks to God in all circumstances because He loves us and guides our lives by grace though faith in Christ our Lord.  This past week God gave me a great reminder of this truth.  I was so blessed and encouraged to hear our Weston Christian Academy K5 classes sing one of my favorite songs, “Give Thanks” by Don Moen.  It’s a very simple song with only two stanzas.  Hear are the words:

Give thanks  with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One; Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. (2x)

And now let the weak say, “I am strong.”  Let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us.” (2x)

Give thanks…We give thanks.

This beautiful song reminds me of the grace, love, and truth of God that even a five year old can understand.  I am eternally thankful that God by His amazing grace regenerated my selfish and prideful heart into a grateful heart when I became a new creation by faith in Jesus Christ.  It is only through Christ that a person can ever comprehend what Thanksgiving is truly all about and be thankful in all circumstances.  We give thanks with a grateful heart to God because He’s given us Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord.  Remember this precious truth this Thanksgiving and always!

May God bless you with His grace, love, and truth!