Thanks Be to God

     Assisting with the Children’s Choir has been a real blessing for me.  Last year, the children were working on a song for Thanksgiving that just remains in my heart as we approach this holiday.  The words to the chorus go like this:  “Thanks be to God, thanks be to God, thanks be to God for all good gifts; thanks be to God, thanks be to God, thanks be to God for creation.”  It’s a simple tune reminding us of all that we have to be thankful for as we gather for worship and in our homes.

     Sadly, Thanksgiving is often ignored because people are in a hurry to get to the B-I-G event....Christmas.  In fact, some stores even have their Christmas displays up already!  The Pilgrims,

however, found it important to take time and celebrate God’s goodness to them in the new land to which they had come.  Both native born and newcomer alike found a seat at the table to enjoy the fruit of the harvest.  As history records it, the Pilgrims came because they had suffered persecution for their faith and wanted to go where they could be free to worship God according to His Word.  Despite their hardships in coming to a new place, they rejoiced at God’s provision.

     According to God’s Word, we are told to offer up a sacrifice of praise continually.  Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.”  Not only are we blessed in heart when we thank God for all His good gifts, but we, in obedience, bring glory to the Lord.  For some of us, it is hard to offer that sacrifice of praise because life in this fallen world is hard.  We lose loved ones, we may be facing illness, or we may have financial woes, but God, who is our provision, has never left our side.  We may not understand the hardships we face in this life.  Nevertheless, God gives us the daily strength to go on, and the Apostle Paul gives us another reason to praise God.

     I Corinthians 15:56-57 tells us:  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we are set free from sin and the sting of death.  We will one day be in His presence for all eternity where there will be no more tears, heartache or pain.  By His death and resurrection, He has reconciled us to God.  When our hearts are regenerated, God removes the stony, cold heart of sin, and gives to us a heart of flesh that can respond in faith to salvation. This is worth more than anything we could ever want or desire. Therefore, praise for God should be a daily part of our prayers and conversation with others.

     Another reason to give thanks to our Lord is because it is according to His will for each believer.  In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote this instruction (I Thessalonians 5:16-18):  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  This is a simple and straight forward command to us.  When we do this, we are demonstrating our Christian worldview to a culture that has forgotten how to say “thank you” or show gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy each day.

     Finally, when we put on the character of Christ as Paul writes about to the Colossians, chapter 3, we will find that a thankful heart is one that attracts others to Jesus Christ.  In verses 15-17, Paul tells us:  “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Having a thankful heart isn’t just for Thanksgiving!  It should be our way of life, and will make others ask why we are joy filled rather than grumpy like the rest of the world.

     Thanking God for our many blessings is not hard.  When we cannot find the right words, we can always turn to the Psalms and read them aloud.  Praising God as our children do in song will always lift our spirits too.   Be blessed today and from our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  Selah!