“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5 (NIV)
Each of us has so much to be thankful for. If we were to make a “top ten” list, many of our answers would probably look the same… and that’s okay. But let’s take it a step further. Let’s look a little deeper and truly appreciate the blessings that fill our lives.
This month, we are emphasising the persecuted church. Oh, how thankful we are to come and go to VJF any day, any time, without fear. We must never take this freedom for granted. Our Prayer Calendar reads for Benin, Africa – “Pray for sisters Renee and Rebecca, and others being persecuted by their families for following Christ.” And Tuesdays on our daily Missions Prayer Bookmarks, we “Pray that our missionaries would have God’s wisdom as they handle (tough) situations.” Yes, we have so much to be thankful for … for day-to-day life itself. Here are four thoughts that I hope will bring greater depth to your Thanksgiving, beyond the attention to the meal and decorations.
1. GRATITUDE AS WORSHIP
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday; it is an act of worship. When we give thanks, we are acknowledging that God is the source of all we have. Psalm 103 reminds us, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Gratitude reorients our hearts toward the Giver rather than the gifts. When we take time to thank God for salvation, family, provision, and daily mercies, we are expressing our trust in His unfailing goodness.
2. REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Throughout Scripture, God’s people paused to remember His faithfulness. After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua commanded the Israelites to set up stones as a memorial so future generations would remember what God had done. In the same way, our Thanksgiving gatherings should be “memorial stones,” with each story of deliverance and God’s provision a reminder that He is still faithful TODAY!
3. GRATITUDE IN EVERY SEASON
The Apostle Paul instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances – it is rooted in the character of God. Even in hardship, we can thank Him for His presence, His promises, and His power to work all things together for good. (Romans 8:28) When gratitude fills our hearts, complaining loses its place and takes its seat.
4. OVERFLOWING THANKSGIVING
Gratitude should not end with words; it should overflow into action. When we realise how much God has given us, we are moved to share that goodness with others. Acts of kindness, generosity, and encouragement are the natural fruits of a thankful heart. As 2 Corinthians 9:11 says, You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Between now and Thanksgiving, I hope each of us will take a moment to reflect on our past year.
- What prayers has God answered for you personally?
- What prayers has God answered for Jubilee?
- What lessons has He taught us through challenges?
- Who has He used to bless your life? Have you thanked them?
As the hymn says, “Count your blessings … name them one by one.” Let our hearts be the sanctuary where praise continually rises to God, who gives us all things richly to enjoy. Amen.
Thanking God for you,
Pastor Leonard
