©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.
That’s the message my lightweight, midnight blue, long-sleeved shirt carries, but the meaning isn’t lightweight at all!
When we are truly thankful for the grace we’ve been given and the mercy we’ve received from God through Christ, it’s easier for us to offer it to others. And, we want others to know our gratitude stems from God.
This weekend we watched the touring Broadway musical Hairspray. Sometimes, after a show, I read the short bios about cast members. Often they will thank parents, friends, spouses, or the touring group, but every now and then, there’s a surprise.
Under the cast writeups, here’s part of what the Hairspray playbill says about Sandie Lee who beautifully played Motormouth Maybelle – “She gives thanks to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for all her accomplishments and her parents, Carol and Sandy Lee for their unwavering support.” Her “Who’s Who” closes with a reference to Philippians 4:6-7 (shared later here).
How often do we give God glory and express thanks – in our hearts, our words, our actions? And, express our gratitude to God openly to others?
I pulled together a few Scriptures to remind us of some of the many reasons to give thanks to God. Let’s take a look together – and perhaps these are ones you and your family or friends may choose to read around the table this Thanksgiving.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:3-4 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because…
God is the Creator. He is our Shepherd. We have all that we need in Him.
But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69: 29-30 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because…
God is present. He is the Comforter. He has the power to protect us.
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. Psalm 100: 4-5 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because …
God is good. His faithfulness is timeless. His love endures forever.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:2-3 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because…
God is great. Greater than any “god’ or idol people create or elevate.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because…
God is near. He hears. And, He provides peace.
Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because…
God offers us grace. He is powerful. He is trustworthy.
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:25 NIV
Why give thanks?
Because …
God provides deliverance through Christ. Strengthens us against temptation. Frees us from the bondage of sin.
Thanksgiving offers the wonderful opportunity to thank many people around us who’ve impacted our lives. We tell them how much they mean to us, how glad we are they are in our lives, and how thankful we are for who they are! That’s a great thing to do not only for our loved ones, but also for the Lord whose love for us is everlasting.
How can we make our giving of thanks to God personal not perfunctory? We start by remembering who He is to us, and then choosing to spend time talking to Him and telling Him how grateful we are.
Just like we’re sitting down at the table together.
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19b-20 NIV
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
- Is your gratitude normally expressed to God whenever you’re… Asking for something? Trying to remember His faithfulness in the past? Excited you got something you prayed for? Grateful for protection for you or someone you love?
- Of the Scriptures above, which one speaks to you most right now?
- What is it about God that makes you most grateful? (Oh, go ahead – name more than one reason.)
- If you told a friend this Thanksgiving why you are thankful for God, how would you say it?
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:14-15 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™