November 25, 2014 (Tuesday)
This is Thanksgiving week, a week that includes Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday set aside for the giving of thanks to God for His blessings.
Be honest, now. When you hear the words, “Thanksgiving Day,” what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
The first thought, probably, is “Family.” Wednesday is a travel day. Millions of Americans take to the highways in their cars or buses, to the rails in their trains, to the air in the planes, and one way or another get to a family reunion.
Perhaps the next thought, closely connected, is “Food.” The big Thanksgiving meal is a must at most family gatherings. Turkey is usually on the menu, even though venison was probably the meat dish at America’s first Thanksgiving in the 17th Century.
For many, the first thought may be, “Football.” There’s usually at least one exciting game on TV each year. After enjoying a delicious meal, the folks gather to watch the teams in living color.
After Thanksgiving Day, comes what has been dubbed, “Black Friday,” the biggest shopping day of the year, when the stores put on special sales to lure the customers.
And, oh, yes, some folks think of giving thanks to the Lord when they think of Thanksgiving Day. Of course, for most of these, thanksgiving is more than a day on the calendar. It is a way of life.
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Isaiah 12:4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Jeremiah 33:11 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.