Be Thankful
by Pastor Bill Pevlor
Thanksgiving - the great American holiday! A holiday rich in tradition
dating back to the pilgrims. Some traditions, like football and the
“official” beginning of the Christmas season are relatively new. One very
old, yet essential tradition, I fear, is fading from many Thanksgiving
observances; the tradition of giving thanks.
Thanksgiving was a very appropriate name for the pilgrim’s celebration.
After struggling through extremely harsh conditions, those who survived (half
didn’t) were thankful to be alive. They were also thankful for the blessing of
a bountiful harvest. They acknowledged God as the source of their provision and
gathered, as a community, to express humble gratitude to Him.
In contrast, today, in many homes “Thanksgiving” would not be an
appropriate name for the celebration. A couple of fitting names to consider
might be “Gluten” or “Indulgence” day. Countless hours are spent
preparing a meal. Not just any meal, the biggest culinary spectacle of the year.
We carve up the bird, gather around the table, stuff ourselves and then waddle
off to a soft chair in another room.
There may be a prayer of thanks before the food foray. However, it is
usually not a prayer from the heart of truly thankful people. It is merely part
of the tradition; a droll, monotone performance of duty. Think about it, if
someone thanked you the same way would you feel appreciated?
I don’t know anyone who would not concede they have much to be thankful
for. Yet, for a great number, there is no expression of thankfulness in their
lives. In truth, gratitude that is not expressed is the same as ingratitude.
Even if it is expressed, if it doesn’t come from the heart, you are not giving
thanks.
I believe a major reason many people don’t express thankfulness to God
is that many don’t fully comprehend what He has done for them. They have
little or no awareness of how God has cared and provided for them. They think
they’ve been lucky or that the “blessings” in their lives are a result of
their own effort.
The Bible points us to the authentic source of all blessing. The first
chapter of the book of James, beginning in verse 16 says “Don’t be
deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming
down from the Father of the heavenly lights . . .”
The Bible also gives us detailed instruction on how to thank the Lord for
all he has done. It tells us to thank Him in the morning and to thank Him in the
evening (1 Chronicles 23:30). Psalm 119:62 says “At midnight I will rise to
give you thanks . . .” I don’t believe God expects us to set our alarm
clocks for midnight so we can rise up to give Him thanks every night. He is
simply trying to give us a glimpse of the heart of a truly thankful person.
Psalm 105 urges us to “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name;
make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of his wonderful acts.” Telling others about what God has done for
you is a demonstration of your gratefulness. When an earthly father buys a gift
or does something his children think is great, they can’t wait to tell their
friends . . . “Look what my dad did!” If you are a child of God, you’ll be
excited to tell others about what your heavenly father has done.
One of my favorite passages of Thanksgiving scripture is Psalm 100:4-5; “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.” To that I say a mighty
“amen!” My Heavenly Father is good and faithful and His love does endure
forever.
If you’ve been celebrating “Indulgence” instead of
“Thanksgiving”, don’t feel condemned; make a change today. Take a moment
to think of all you have; your home, family, friends, job, possessions, freedom,
health, life, etc. Then, “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
He is the provider of every good and perfect gift. How ungrateful we would be if
we neglect to say, “Father, thank you.”
Blessed are the homes whose leaders express true thankfulness to the
Lord, God Almighty. Blessed are the homes whose leaders, by example, will
instill thankfulness in other family members. Blessed are the homes where
“Thanksgiving” is not a once-a-year tradition, but a meaningful part of
daily life.
Have a wonderful and thankful holiday.
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