“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17 (KJV)
Thanksgiving . . . a time of celebration . . . a time of family get-togethers . . . a time of hunting . . . a time of football . . . and a time to watch the Macy’s Christmas Parade. We have turned thanksgiving into a commercial extravaganza. Christmas lights and decorations are put up or turned on the very next day after . . . Thanksgiving.
It makes one wonder what we are thankful for. Perhaps, we should ask are we thankful. Not to be critical, sorrowful, or negative here, let us recognize that the human tradition of offering thanks has truth and integrity far above and beyond what our holiday has become. Thanksgiving is a bigger concept than either the exaggerated event of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, or all our family traditions since then. Paul instructed us: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV).
I strongly believe that the spirit of thanksgiving has existed for as long as human beings have existed. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks to God for the physical blessings he has bestowed on us. Thanksgiving, at least in part, was probably the reason Adam’s boys brought worship offerings to God at the entrance to Eden in Genesis 4.
I also strongly believe that the spirit of thanksgiving is a celebratory spirit. It is extremely difficult to give thanks when circumstances are not joyful, James 1:2-3 notwithstanding. Thanksgiving has always been a time for family gatherings where gratitude is expressed for the necessities of life, for the joy and love of the family, for the material blessings received. It is also a time for enjoying the gifts of friendship and fellowship.
So it is that on the last Thursday in November, we officially celebrate one of the oldest and most universal of human worship activities. If our hearts are tuned to the right attitude (i.e., humble gratitude), then it is indeed a worship to the LORD, Our Shepherd. The gratitude we express is more than mere words from our mouths, and even more than meditations of our hearts. It is the worship of grateful hearts expressed in the joy of celebration . . . eating together . . . fun together. It is the worship of loving hands and arms grasping family and friends in fellowship. It is the worship of appreciation in memory of loved-ones gone to their rewards. It is the worship of an humble attitude for “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
The English preacher and poet, George Herbert wrote: “Thou who hast given so much to me, Give one thing more – a grateful heart.” This is the key to thanksgiving worship.
Dear Father, our minds, hearts, and spirits are tuned to gratefulness today for all the good gifts that come from your hands. We worship you in the truth of our spirit and in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today with thanksgiving worship,